Through Growing Pains: Lancers Men’s Soccer Endures Winless Season with an Eye on a Bright Future
By: Samuel Olufemi Olu-Obadina
Photo credit: @lancersoccer_.
Beneath the surface of a tough campaign, the Lancer men’s soccer team is laying the groundwork for a promising future.
The Windsor Lancers allowed a goal in the 90th minute to drop their final game of the 2024 men’s soccer season to the Laurier Golden Hawks. It was a season without a win.
This final loss capped a season in which the team failed to register a victory in 12 regular-season games, placing last in the OUA West Division and 17th overall out of 18 teams.
The squad remained upbeat despite the hard facts presented by the standings. At the root of the optimism was the team’s young core.
Midfielder Matthew Chimienti reflected on his experience in his first competitive varsity season, sharing that the environment around the team has been positive.
“As a rookie, it’s been great. I feel blessed by the environment I’ve come into,” Chimienti said. “Everyone is personable and striving for the same goal. That makes it easier for you to thrive. It’s been a really good experience for me overall.”
Second-year midfielder Skyler Pinnock echoed that sentiment, emphasizing his confidence in the team’s potential and praising the younger players’ contributions.
“I think there’s great potential,” Pinnock said. “The recruiting class that came in this year has been excellent in whatever roles they’ve been asked to play. A few of them started right away. In the future, they’re going to remain starters and key factors to the team.”
Goalkeeper and team captain Simon Grande also expressed his confidence in the team’s potential, emphasizing the importance of each player’s individual development during the offseason.
“Each player has to improve individually, especially over (next) summer,” Grande said. “Then come back stronger and gel quickly during [the] preseason. The goal is to get the younger guys as much playing time as possible.”
Chimienti, like many of his teammates, is adjusting to the demands of varsity-level competition. Of the 29 players on the Lancers’ roster, 11 are rookies, making this one of the youngest teams in the OUA.
“It’s definitely been an eye-opener,” Chimienti admitted. “Coming out of high school, you have to wake up fast. I didn’t have the right time management strategies, so improving on those things has been key.”
Injuries significantly contributed to the team’s struggles this season, with five starters sidelined by the fourth regular season game. Team captain Grande acknowledged the difficulty of competing as a young squad while dealing with fitness issues.
“As an older player, I knew what we were in for with so many young guys,” Grande said. “Unfortunately, early in the season, we were hit with a bunch of injuries—concussions, knee issues—you can’t really control those. I knew we’d face challenges.”
Pinnock supported the captain’s view, having dealt with his own injuries throughout the season.
“We’ve had to battle injuries from preseason right through to the midway point, with a lot of guys, including myself, sidelined,” Pinnock said. “It’s tough for a young team when you’re up against players with years of university experience. Overcoming that isn’t easy.”
Chimienti and Pinnock have faith in the coaching staff, setbacks aside. Head coach Demetri Vacratsis, who is relatively new to the program, is credited with instilling a new identity and building the team’s confidence.
“Our coach just came in last year (February 5, 2024), and he’s working on building an attacking identity,” Pinnock said. “Throughout the season, you could see the improvement in our build-up play and the way we connect with each other. We’re getting more confident, but the final product just isn’t there yet.”
Chimienti also offered praise, expressing complete confidence in the program’s direction under Vacratsis.
“I think our coaching staff is one of the best in the OUA, if not the best,” Chimienti said. “I’ve known Vacratsis for a while, and I have full faith in our tactics and in what he’s trying to accomplish.”
Pinnock added that the coaching staff’s belief in the process has been crucial during a difficult season.
“They’ve been a great help; they never let us down and put their heads down on us,” Pinnock said. “They are the backbone of this process and leading us through it; they understand it will not happen overnight; it’s going to take time. They’re the reason why we’re not going to give up.”
While the season may not have gone as the Lancers had hoped, with a young core and dedicated coaching staff, there’s a belief that brighter days lie ahead.