It's time to come home for the Nipissing Lakers soccer programs after two straight weekends on the road to start the 2015 OUA soccer season.

The women's team returns to North Bay after posting a 1-2-1 record through their first four games, while the men's program is 1-1-1 after two weekends of action.

Saturday marks the home opener for the Lakers as they host the Ryerson Rams. Sunday, it's the U of T Varsity Blues making their way north to battle the Lakers.
 
Women's Soccer looking for success at home
While they only picked up one point on their road trip to Ottawa, their effort showed they can keep up with some of the top teams in the OUA.

A gutsy 0-0 draw Friday afternoon against Carleton and a tight 1-0 loss to Ottawa on Saturday had the Lakers disappointed with the results, but proud of the effort they put in.

With their home opener set for this Saturday, the Lakers feel if they can play the way they did on the road, the results will follow.

Up first is the Ryerson Rams, a team that currently sits with a 1-1-1 record and are coming off a four point weekend, defeating RMC and tying Queens.

Following that game, the Lakers will entertain the Varsity Blues who are undefeated through three contests.

They defeated Ryerson to begin the season, tied Queens last weekend and slipped past RMC to put them with seven points out of a possible eight to kick off the year.

The Blues have already scored seven goals through three games, so slowing down their offence will be key for the Lakers and their outstanding back line, as well as goalkeepers Carlee Bennard, who has started all three games and Kelly Dunk, who played her first minutes last Saturday.

With a successful weekend on home field, the Lakers will be off to a solid start and looking for bigger things down the road.

Both games are scheduled for noon kick-offs at the Education Centre Field at Nipissing University.
 

Men's Soccer look to bounce back after their first loss
A few little hiccups led to a few goals and unfortunately led to the Lakers first loss this past weekend against Carleton, but they are confident they have moved on and used that loss as motivation.

After an impressive first weekend on the road, the Lakers hit a bit of a bump against Carleton, however, they have liked their first three games overall.

Looking ahead to their first home action of the season, Ryerson is the first team on the radar, as they are currently undefeated and on top of the OUA standings early on.

Defensively the Rams are impressive, allowing just one goal so far this campaign.

With wins over Toronto and RMC and a tie against Queens, the Rams pose tough competition for Nipissing this Saturday.

Sunday, it's another tough matchup for the Lakers, as they face the Blues, who have just one loss to date, a setback versus Ryerson.

Thanks to a big weekend on the road in Kingston, the Blues are 2-1 and showed an offensive flare, posting six goals thanks to a 3-0 and 3-1 win.

While points are very possible for Nipissing this weekend, it won't be an easy task, although based on the way they've played, it's not out of the question.

Game times for both games are set for 2:30 p.m. at the Education Centre Field on campus at Nipissing University.