WSOC | Voyageurs Drop Hard Fought Game to Lakers

The Voyageurs returned to The Rock for the first time this season to battle the Nipissing Lakers.  Despite going toe-to-toe with one of the top ranked teams in the country, including playing the final 35 minutes with just 10 women, the Voyageurs ultimately fell 2-0.

Employing a 'bend but don't break' philosophy, the Voyageurs got off to a much better start than they did four days earlier.  They were able to withstand the Lakers pressure and mount some counterattacks of their own.  Both keepers were equal to the task, however, and the game remained scoreless at the half.

Early in the second half, a tough decision would force the Voyageurs to adapt.  In the 54th minute, Kiana Levac was shown a straight red, a decision that was viewed as overly harsh by many in attendance.  This put the Voyageurs down to 10 players for the final 36 minutes but the home side adapted, continuing to absorb the Lakers attack and managed to launch a few probing attacks of their own.  Unfortunately the breakthrough occurred in the 70th minute when Bella Nolte got half a step of separation and fired a shot past Hunter Jones.  The Voyageurs continued to push for an equalizer but it was the Lakers who would double their lead in the 85th minute when Hannah Neville scored a perfectly placed penalty kick.

The win allowed the Lakers to retain the Riley Gallo Cup and gave the Lakers a leg up in the battle for the 705 Challenge Cup.  The Voyageurs return to the pitch next weekend when they host Queen's and RMC at 12pm on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.