Laurier’s Men’s Varsity Soccer Team showcased their progress on the field this past weekend, securing a pair of impressive victories at home. The team, accompanied by starting midfielder Ethan Golias, displayed peak performance, claiming all 6 available points in their double-header against the Algoma Thunderbirds.
In a season filled with anticipation, the Golden Hawks have been living up to their potential. A significant moment came opening weekend when they held the York men’s team to a tie; a remarkable feat that hasn’t been achieved in the past 10 matches against the team.
The success of the team has been greatly helped by key players like Golias. He acknowledged the importance of this strong start to the season. “It feels great to be a part of a winning team,” he said with a smile. “The Laurier Soccer program has come a long way over the past few years. We are on the right track, especially after securing 6 points this weekend, but we still have work to do because the job is not done.”
The double-header at home proved to be a turning point for the Golden Hawks. The group showed incredible resilience, earning two significant wins with scores of 2-0 and 3-1. These victories electrified the crowd, marking the first wins at home for the men’s team this season.
The games were not without their share of excitement. Six yellow cards were issued during the first match on Sept. 9, attributed to the aggressive style of play from both sides.
The Golden Hawks remained grounded, followed their game plan, and demonstrated discipline on the field. Laurier proved their dominance by outshooting the Thunderbirds 11-2, where they were rewarded with the result of 3 points.
On Sept. 10, the Golden Hawks took on the Thunderbirds for the second leg of the double header. Adriano Colangelo was a standout player for Laurier and played a pivotal role in the team’s success.
Colangelo found the back of the net twice, helping the Laurier team take a 2-0 lead with goals scored in the 21st and 28th minute. In the 36th minute, Laurier extended their lead to 3-0 after Golias secured a penalty kick.
Golias shared his thoughts on what fueled their success. “I think that overall, the team came out strong knowing that this weekend we needed 2 wins,” Ethan explained. “All the guys were hungry … all the guys were ready to play. At no point in both matches did we settle down; we knew there were always more goals to score.”
As the Golden Hawks celebrate this outstanding weekend, they have their sights set on their next challenge: taking on the Brock Badgers this Saturday Sept. 16 in St. Catherines. The team is determined to carry the momentum forward, building on their recent victories and aiming for an even brighter future.
With a talented squad, strong team spirit, and a growing fan base, “The job is not done”. The Golden Hawks are ready to soar to new heights in the OUA this season.