The Nipissing Lakers soccer teams hit the highway and made the trip to our nation's capital to take on the Carleton Ravens Friday and the women battled the Ottawa Gee Gees Saturday afternoon, while the men returned home, playing just the one game.

Both days, despite not being the best of results, showed the Lakers could hang with some of the tougher teams and they'll use this experience as a learning tool moving forward in the 2015 OUA soccer season.

Women's Soccer Grabs A Single Point on the Road

Friday afternoon, as the Lakers battled the Ravens, it was Carlee Bennard who made the difference in the game, as she held the Ravens in check and earned the shutout, as the teams drew 0-0.

Bennard ventured out of her net a number of times was aggressive and confident and it paid off as she made key saves, cleared the ball on her own a few times and put in a strong effort.

Her defenders were solid as well, clearing the ball and taking away passes and scoring chances from the opposition. And while they couldn't break through up front, the forward and attackers showed glimpses as well.

Grabbing the single point Friday was big and Nipissing was looking to cap off a successful weekend when they faced the Gee Gees.

Unfortunately, despite a very strong effort, they were unable to find the back of the net and came up on the wrong side of a 1-0 decision.

Bennard was once again solid, allowing just one goal in her 45 minutes of play before Kelly Dunk took over in goal. She was perfect in her half of play.

The Lakers (1-2-1) will now look ahead to four straight home games, beginning this weekend with a pair in North Bay, as they hope to grab valuable wins and points.


Men's Soccer Suffers First Defeat of the Season

In their lone game of the weekend, the Lakers took on the Ravens Friday evening in Ottawa.

The teams played even, with both getting chances and putting together offensive bursts, but it was the Ravens who capitalized, as they scored two goals in the first half to build up a lead and they sealed the win in the second half with their third goal of the game.

The Lakers got off to a slow start and against the aggressive Ravens, that put them on their heels early.

Carleton scored in the 14th minute and the 22nd and capped things off with a goal in the 73rd minute.

Lakers head coach Carlo DeVuono said they're not going to look back at this game, they're going to move ahead and make the necessary changes.

"We made three mistakes and it cost us. We started slow, played better in the second against a very aggressive team," he said. "It's a good learning experience and we'll make adjustments for our next game."

Grainger Munro was tagged with the loss for the Lakers, who are now 1-1-1 on the season.

They will focus their attention to a pair of home games next weekend, as they begin a stretch of eight home games in their next nine matchups.