After a tough season, the Nipissing Lakers men's soccer team has turned the page and they're looking to write a new chapter in the program's history in 2017.

A tear removed from missing the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, the Lakers have a strong recruiting class, along with key returning players and are looking to get back to the form they showed consistently just a few years ago.

With their first two games of the OUA/USports season set for this weekend, Nipissing will be looking to get off to a strong start and set the tone for the year.

Lakers head coach Carlo DeVuono believes he and a number of the players learned a lot last season, through tough times, and it will make them better this year.

"This is a fresh start. Last season was a learning experience for myself and the coaching staff, but we're a hungry team this year," he said. "We have a strong recruiting class, some new leadership and are excited to begin the season."

The Lakers will return their top five scorers, who combined for 14 of the team's 17 goals in 2016.

Ryan Roy, who led the team with four goals is joined by fifth year forward Andy Bago and second-year player Cody Vaillancourt.

While it will take a team to be successful this season, DeVuono will rely on his leaders, as well as his offensive players to make a difference.

Captain Alexander Zero is back and ready to lead the team from the backline.

Despite the turnover the Lakers saw from last year, DeVuono isn't worried as he believes the players that are returning are ready to take over and the new recruits will be able to step in right away and contribute.

Their first test will come this weekend, facing Toronto and Ryerson, the teams that finished at the top of the standings last season.

Combined, the teams had a 26-3-3 record in 2016, so Nipissing will have their hands full, but it's a good early test for the team.

The Lakers' season kicks off Saturday afternoon on the road against Toronto, with kickoff set for 2:15pm.

Sunday, they'll wrap up the first road trip of the year when they face Ryerson, also at 2:15pm.