For the first time this season, the Nipissing Lakers soccer programs played at home and were hoping the home cooking will help them get on a run.

The Lakers faced the Ryerson Rams, a team that on both the women's and men's side, are tough opposition.

The women's Rams team was neck with the Lakers and the men's Rams was near the top of the standings through the first two weekends of play.
 
Women's Soccer comes up big at home
On home field, the Lakers wasted little time finding the back of the net and getting the home crowd going.

Just three minutes into the game, forward Kristen Farkas pounced on a loose ball and fired it to the back of the net to give Nipissing an early advantage.

It took 75 minutes until another goal was scored and once again it was the Lakers, as Emma Persi headed home a perfect cross from Tori Bellar to push the lead to 2-0.

Just seven minutes after that goal, Vanessa Rota scored to make it 3-0 and put the game on ice.

The Rams would get one back a minute late, as Alexandra Pittiglio beat Carlee Bennard, who earned the win, with a shot to the corner of the net.

The win evens the Lakers record at 2-2-1 and for the time being, put them in fourth place in the OUA East Division.

The Lakers will face a tough task Sunday in their second home game of the season, as they host the Toronto Varsity Blues.

Toronto are currently undefeated at 3-0-1 and topped Laurentian Saturday.

Game time is set for noon at the Education Centre Field.
 

Men's Soccer fall short against undefeated Rams
Unfortunately it took a two goal deficit for the Lakers to turn their game up a notch, but it in the end it wasn't enough.

The Rams built up a 2-0 lead thanks to two tallies in the first 15 minutes and held off a Lakers charge near the end of the first half and in the second 45 minutes to claim the three points.

Down 2-0, Andy Bago found the ball in a scramble and potted it to cut the lead to 2-1, but that was as close as Nipissing would get.

The Rams would add a late goal, in the 82nd minute, to cap off the victory despite the Lakers pressure to tie the game.

Grainger Munro was tagged with the loss, making six saves.

The Lakers will look to rebound Sunday when they face Toronto, who sits in second place in the division with a 3-1-0 record.

Toronto is coming off a win over Laurentian Saturday.

Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Education Centre Field at Nipissing University