WATERLOO, Ont. (October 7, 2018) - The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men's soccer team put in a terrific effort on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at University Stadium, despite a 2-1 loss to Western on Saturday and a 2-2 draw with McMaster on Sunday. 

Following a scoreless first half, Western (6-3-3) jumped out of the blocks to begin the second, with first-year player Sebastian Fischer (Dusseldorf, Germany) putting the visitors ahead only seconds into the latter half.

The Hawks (1-9-3), who controlled play for long stretches on Saturday, continued to keep on playing before breaking through around the midway point in the second half. Awarded a free kick in the middle of the field from around 25 yards out, Leo Leone (Oakville, Ont.) delivered a bullet past the Mustangs wall and just under the top bar to get the Hawks even in the 65th. The goal was Leone's second of the season, with both coming against Western.

With the game seemingly heading towards a draw, and with the Hawks controlling the possession battle, things turned in a disastrous way for the Hawks when Cristian Devia (London, Ont.) scored in the dying moments for the Mustangs on what had originally looked like a harmless play to give Western a 2-1 win.

TOP PERFORMERS
Laurier
-    Midfielder Liam Chong Tai (Mississauga, Ont.) stood out for the Hawks Saturday with his ball control and ability to push up field. He led the purple and gold with three shots

Western
-    For a first-year player who has not had much opportunity to see the pitch so far this year, Fischer looked extremely dangerous up front for the Mustangs after being subbed-in for the second half, scoring quickly and adding a couple additional chances after that

On Sunday afternoon, the Hawks took on the McMaster Marauders. An early penalty kick gave the Marauders a 1-0 lead before Liam Chong Tai of Mississauga, Ont. picked up a ball that snuck past McMaster goalie Andrew McCulloch to burry it in the back of the net. 

The Hawks picked up the pace and put pressure on the Marauders, playing a physical second half. A beautiful top-corner goal by Ben Cates of Oakville, Ont. gave the Hawks a 2-1 lead. Goalkeeper Jefferey Omoregie-Sanni of Brampton, Ont. made several great saves to keep the Hawks out in front. In the 74th minute, McMaster was able to send one past Omoregie-Sanni to tie the game. 

TOP PERFORMERS
Laurier
- Give credit to goalkeeper Jefferey Omoregie-Sanni, who made several saves to limit the Marauders' scoring to two goals

Western
- Yunus Mollayev of Toronto, Ont. set the pace for the Marauders, setting up several scoring chances and pushing the ball upfield. He lead the Marauders with four shots

UP NEXT
The Hawks host the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday, October 14 at University Stadium at 3:15 p.m.