The intensity is revved up when the Nipissing Lakers and Laurentian Voyageurs meet on the ice, court or on the field.

Saturday was no different, as the Lakers soccer programs headed to Sudbury to take on their closest neighbours for the team's lone games of the weekend.

Both games were high scoring affairs, with the men coming out on top, while the women fell short.

Nipissing will host the rematches Wednesday in North Bay.
 
Vees take Round 1 versus the Lakers
A late surge proved to be too much for the Nipissing Lakers women's soccer team Saturday afternoon, as they fell to their northern neighbours, the Laurentian Voyageurs.

Despite having a 2-1 lead early in the second half, the Vees stormed back with four straight goals to claim the 5-2 win over Nipissing.

Down 1-0, Lakers veteran Katie Koenjer tied the game with a goal in the 17th minute.

The Lakers would grab the lead less than 10 minutes into the second half as Rachel Haine found the back of the net to make it 2-1.

The goal woke up the Vees, however, as they scored four times in less than 30 minutes, including a hat-trick by Sarah Sanford, to take the three points.

Carlee Bennard took the loss in net.

Nipissing (4-4-1) is 3-2 in their past five and will look to get some revenge this week when the teams will hit the field for the rematch in North Bay Wednesday evening at 5 p.m.
 
Men's Soccer gets back to their winning ways
There may have been one favourable bounce for the Nipissing Lakers men's soccer team Saturday in Sudbury and they definitely took advantage.

After the fortunate start of the Laurentian Voyageurs scoring an own goal, Nipissing made sure they secured the three points to snap out of their four game winless streak and claim the 4-2 victory.

Following the Vees own goal, the teams then opened up the offence, combining for four goals in just over 30 minutes.

Laurentian tied things at one late in the first half, but early in the second Brandon TeBrake gave the visitors the lead back.

The Vees would answer, but Lakers captain Jean-Michel Paulin scored two late goals in the final 30 minutes of the game to secure the win.

Grainger Munro picked up the win in goal.

The Lakers (2-2-3) and Vees (1-5-1) are in North Bay for the rematch Wednesday evening, with kick-off set for 7:30 p.m.