It's only the fifth game of the season, but it's already a huge game in terms of the standings and playoff picture for the Nipissing Lakers women's soccer team.
The Lakers and the Laurentian Voyageurs will renew their rivalry this weekend and begin the head-to-head series known as the Riley Gallo Cup, which goes to the winner of season series between the women's and men's soccer team.
Both teams hold identical 2-2-0 records and are coming off a weekend split in Kingston.
With both teams looking to make a statement, it will sure to be an intense game when they hit the field in Sudbury, Sunday afternoon.
Despite the two losses, the Lakers have played very well to begin the 2016 season, upsetting Toronto, losing two very close contests to Ryerson and Queens, before bouncing back to dominate RMC.
Laurentian has taken a similar route to their .500 record, defeating RMC on the weekend, but their losses came to Toronto and Queens, while adding a victory over Ryerson.
The Lakers are tied for second in goals for so far this year, piling up 10 goals, while surrendering five.
Laurentian sits with eight goals for and six against in their four games.
Nipissing has been buoyed by veteran goalkeeper
Carlee Bennard, who sits third in the OUA in saves with 35 through four games.
The backline and Bennard, as well as
Mykaela Volpe, who saw time versus RMC, has really been strong for the Lakers.
Offensively, Nipissing has shown great balance early on, as eight players have found the back of the net, led by
Brittany Burns' two tallies.
Laurentian has had eight different goal scorers, as well, while each goalkeeper has earned a win so far this year.
Last season, the Lakers went winless versus Laurentian, losing 5-2 on the road and settling for a 1-1 draw at home in North Bay.
Sunday's game will conclude a four game road trip for the Lakers that saw them travel to Toronto, Kingston and now Sudbury.
The team will return home for a pair of games, facing UOIT on Sept. 17 and Trent on Sept. 18, at the Education Field on Nipissing University campus.
The rematch between the Lakers and Vees goes Oct. 1 in North Bay.
The northern rivalry and Game 1 of the Riley Gallo Cup is scheduled for Noon on Sunday, at the LU Soccer Fields.
