Lakers soccer action

Nipissing’s men’s and women’s soccer squads were in action this past weekend.The women’s team earned a point on a draw with RMC, while the men’s team secured a playoff berth with a win over RMC.Women’s ActionGiftopoulos hat trick earns drawThe Nipissing Lakers women’s soccer team earned one point in their final home games of the season as they tied RMC 3-3 on Sunday, rebounding from a 6-0 loss to Queen’s the day before.
Sunday the Lakers dug an early hole as a seemingly harmless shot took an unusual bounce off the soggy turf and fooled keeper Kelly Dunk. The Lakers Stephanie Giftopoulos then tied the contest when she beat the defence to a through ball and made a nifty deke to pot her first of the game.
Giftopoulos then scored her second goal as she capitalized on a defensive miscue between the RMC defender and goalie which resulted in a soft pass that she intercepted and neatly tucked away to the far post. The Lakers applied continued pressure and forward Erica Dixon had a glorious chance to put the Lakers up two goals as she was the recipient of a great cross by Giftopoulos and found herself alone in from of the net; however, her strike trailed back in the direction of the RMC keeper who was able to cradle the ball.
RMC tied the contest in the final minutes of the first half as Lisa Udegbunam converted a well place through ball.
Both teams would exchange quality chance before Giftopoulos finished off her hat trick by heading home a corner kick.
The Lakers would hold the lead until the 83 minute when a ball ping ponged around the outside of the 18 yard box before being fired in the top corner by Michelle Hamilton to end the game in a 3-3 draw.

Saturday, the defending national champion Quen’s Gaels (10-2-2) demonstrated why they will be in the thick of things come playoff time. The Gales found the net three times in each half on goals by Jackie Tessier, Breanna Burton and Brittany Almeida (2), and Kayla Crnic.Men’s ActionDoell leads Lakers to victory
The Nipissing Lakers soccer squad split their final home games, avenging a 2-0 loss to Queen’s by defeating RMC 3-1 Sunday.
On Sunday, the unpredictable fall northern weather hit North Bay as heavy rain and cool winds made conditions difficult on the pitch. The Lakers seemed unfazed and played a strong contest, dominating play and possession for a vast majority of the contest.
Fourth-year midfielder Tylor Doell got the offence rolling as he headed home a well placed cross by teammate Cale England. Ten minutes later, second-year forward, Ryan Mantle, capitalized on a defensive miscue between an RMC defender and the keeper in which Mantle was able to intercept a lazy pass and found the ball after a collision between all three players and coolly placed it in the back of the net.
The Lakers continued to fire all kinds of shots but in the end could not beat RMC Cater Grant. The score remain 2-0 at half.
The second half was much like the first as the Lakers put tones of pressure on RMC; however, it would be the visitors who would get within one goal as Yoon Su An scored in the 68th minute.
Doell would then put the game out of reach as he headed home his second goal of the contest off of a free kick. The Lakers now improve to 4-4-4 on the season and have secured a playoff berth.
Saturday the Lakers faced the top team in the OUA East division as the Queen’s Gaels (10-1-2) visited the Education Centre Field. Queen’s emerged with the 2-0 victory on goals by Eric Koskin and Adrian Rochford.