The Wilfrid Laurier University men’s soccer team, under the experienced guidance of coach Mario Halapir, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth after making the playoffs last season.
For context, the men’s soccer program underwent a reset four years ago that forced the team to invest heavily into player recruit- ment, with the hopes of bringing back the historical dominance that won them national and provincial titles in the past.
“We had to start from scratch, we had to fill every position. The biggest part of it was finding players that were committed to playing [at a professional level],” said Halapir. “Now we’re back in the playoffs [and] every game was competitive, there was no game I felt we couldn’t win.”
With over 30 years of experience in soccer, Halpir has forged his whole lifestyle and career around the sport he loves. He has managed numerous teams and programs, including the Kitchener Soccer Club with its representing team and academy system, and has run a soccer retail business called “The Sports Link Inc” since 1992.
His nearly 25-year tenure with Laurier has been marked by a deep appreciation for the small school environment and its close-knit community.
“Laurier is very close to me. I went there as a student, and with the Alumni Field being redone for us and playing on it last year, it was something special,” he said.
Since becoming coach, Halapir has focused on building a strong foundation, particularly in goal- keeping, utilizing key recruits like goalkeepers David Carrano and Shane Pereira.
“Both now have one year of experience after they were put into the forefront from the beginning, at a position that is mentally challenging for first-year players,” Halapir said.
Last season, the Golden Hawks men’s soccer team faced their challenges head-on, which reflected in their defensive statistics. The team conceded 12 goals, with their defense working tirelessly to keep opponents at bay.
Despite facing 106 shots with 57 on target, the team’s shot percentage against stood at .113, while their shots on goal percentage against was .538.
The team also faced three penalty kicks, all of which resulted in goals, and endured six game-winning goals against them. These statistics underscore the team’s determination and the critical role of defense in their overall strategy.
The previous season concluded with a significant playoff appearance, marking their first since 2017. The playoff game against McMaster was a hard-fought battle, remaining scoreless until late in the first extra time period.
Recognition of individual excellence came in the form of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West division second-team all-star selections for fourth-year defender Andra Neptune and third-year midfielder Sam Ghouli.
Neptune’s steadfast presence in the defense was crucial, as he played every minute of the playoff game and has been a cornerstone in the team’s rebuilding process.
Ghouli, one of the team’s leading goal scorers, has been instrumen- tal in driving the team’s offensive play and contributing to their overall performance. Their achievements reflect not only their individual talents but also the collective effort and spirit of the Laurier men’s Soccer team.
As the new season approaches, the Golden Hawks are poised to build on their progress, driven by Halapir’s strategic vision and the players’ dedication.
The upcoming season is not just about competing but also about continuing the journey of growth, unity and determination that defines Laurier men’s Soccer.
“One key aspect for this year is that we continue to commit to improving in how we actually defend the goal to limit the other team from scoring,” said Halapir. “I want us to be a difficult team to play against, but also when we get the ball, I want us to be a threat.”
This year’s season kicked off on Aug. 30 against Brock University at the Varsity Soccer field in St. Catharines. Key dates on the schedule include the home opener against the Algoma University Thunderbirds on Sept. 8, the highly anticipated battle of Waterloo against the University of Waterloo Warriors on Sept. 13 and 15, and Senior Night on Oct. 9 against the University of Windsor Lancers.
Other notable matches include confrontations with York University Lions, University of McMaster Marauders, University of Guelph Gryphons and Western University Mustangs.
