Voyageurs Weekend Preview: September 15-18

SUDBURY, ON – The second weekend of the school year is quickly approaching and with it comes an action-packed schedule for the Laurentian Voyageurs. Men's and women's soccer are back in action at home, while the men’s hockey team hits the ice for their first pre-season game of the year at Countryside Arena.

The Voyageurs first exhibition game takes place Thursday night, as a mixture of returning players and some of this year’s new talent take to the ice versus the Nipissing Lakers. The Voyageurs, who are looking to start the season off on the right foot after a disappointing finish last season, will look to take the victory in this year’s first instalment of the battle of Northern Ontario. Come get your first look at the 2016-17 Voyageurs men’s hockey team on Thursday night – puck drop is set for 7:35pm.

The rest of the Voyageurs action will take place at the LU Soccer field as both the men’s and women’s soccer teams have a full schedule this weekend, playing both Saturday and Sunday.

The women’s soccer team will begin the action at noon on Saturday when they host the Trent Excalibur. The women, led by leading scorers Michelle Walsh and Megan Ferguson, are looking to capitalize on the ninth seeded Excalibur and make some moves in the standings.

The Laurentian men are also host to Trent on Saturday, action beginning at 2:15pm. The men, who are just two points ahead of Trent in the standings, are looking to create some separation with a win on Saturday. The Voyageurs will be looking to second-year midfielder Evan Stronach to continue his success in the scoring department along with the defensive dominance of goalkeeper Connor Vande Weghe who is currently tied for first in the CIS with 39 saves.

The women’s soccer team will then turn their attention to the UOIT Ridgeback’s at noon on Sunday. UOIT currently sits in second place in the eastern division, just four points ahead of the Voyageurs. With two wins this weekend, the women’s squad has the opportunity to move into a tie for first place in the division. The ladies will need to be on their top defensive game, however, as UOIT is the highest scoring team in the east and is currently riding a four game win streak.

The men’s team are again hosting the same opponent, as the UOIT men’s soccer team will be facing off against Laurentian at 2:15PM.  The Ridgebacks are currently two points behind the Voyageurs who will look to capitalize on another must win game. The men’s soccer team will surely be motivated to put forth a solid effort as this weekend presents them with a much-needed opportunity to move up in the standings.

Laurentian University's Department of Athletics is home to 23 varsity sports teams. The Voyageurs decorated history of pride and tradition includes 62 provincial championships as well as 10 national championships in 54 years of competition.

Voyageurs Schedule
September 15-18