Algoma soccer opens season against Waterloo

Despite disappointing results, there were some positives to take from Algoma University’s Ontario University Athletics soccer openers on Saturday at Superior Heights.

Algoma’s men’s and women’s soccer teams dropped games to Waterloo on Saturday afternoon is what is a busy weekend for both teams.

In the men’s game, Waterloo scored a pair of early goals en route to a 2-0 win.

“It was evenly matched,” said Algoma Coach Neil Ovey, who also serves as coach of the women’s team. “At the end of the day, they took their chances and we didn’t take ours. That’s what it came down to. We created a lot of chances. We’re disappointed that we didn’t get something out of that game.”

Yusuf Khaled had both goals for Waterloo.

Algoma midfielder Brandon Bangambee called the game a learning experience for some of the new players on the roster, who were playing OUA soccer for the first time.

“For the new guys, they got to learn what the OUA is like,” Bangambee said. “Now that they know, they can adapt to it. It was a tough start but they’ll get used to it."

In the women’s game, Waterloo scored a pair of goals in the opening half and added four more in the second half, all from Stephanie Penta, in the win. Hannah Rempel and Ciara Dunne scored Waterloo’s goals in the opening half.

“(Waterloo) had four goals directly from corners, which is unacceptable at this level, but they’re things we can work on,” Ovey said. “It’s not as if we got outplayed and didn’t deserve to be here. It’s individual mistakes and errors we can work on.”

Both teams are back in action on Sunday at Superior Heights against Waterloo with the women’s game at noon and the men’s game to follow at 2 p.m.