SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT. — August 31, 2026 - The Algoma University Thunderbirds Men's Soccer team will return home this weekend looking to regroup and respond following a difficult opening weekend on the road to start the 2026-27 OUA Soccer season. The Thunderbirds opened the campaign with a pair of losses, falling 3-0 to the McMaster Marauders on Friday night before dropping a 5-1 decision to the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday.
Despite the results, Algoma showed promising stretches of play throughout the weekend and will now have the opportunity to turn the page and rebound in front of their home crowd.
Tough opening night against McMaster
The Thunderbirds began their season Friday night at Ron Joyce Stadium against the McMaster Marauders.
Algoma remained within striking distance through the opening half, trailing 1-0 after McMaster opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. The Marauders would go on to add two second-half goals to secure the 3-0 victory.
Goalkeeper
Joshua Bondoc played all 90 minutes and made three saves for the Thunderbirds. Algoma generated four shot attempts and four corner kicks in the contest, while McMaster finished with 15 shot attempts and six corners.
Soe gets Thunderbirds on the board against Guelph
Algoma faced another tough opponent Saturday night, traveling to take on the Guelph Gryphons.
Guelph scored twice in the opening half and added three more goals after halftime to take a 5-0 lead. The Thunderbirds continued to battle and broke through late in the match when
Dah Soe scored in the 85th minute, assisted on the play by
Calen Doobay.
Anthony Berganza made eight saves in the Algoma net, while the Thunderbirds attempted a total of five shots over the course of the match, four of which were on target.
Home Opener Awaits
The Thunderbirds will now return to Sault Ste. Marie for their first back-to-back home set of the season, welcoming the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks to Superior Heights Turf Field for Saturday and Sunday matinees with action slated to kick-off for the men both days at 3:15pm.
Laurier enters the weekend with a
1-0 record after opening its season with a 3-0 victory over the Windsor Lancers this past Sunday.
With the home opener providing a fresh start, the Thunderbirds will look to build on the lessons from their opening weekend and put together a strong performance in front of their hometown supporters.
#LetsFlyTogether!
#AlgomaThunderbirds #OUASoccer #HomeOpener
GAME INFORMATION
Who: Algoma Thunderbirds vs. Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
When: Saturday, September 5, 2026 and Sunday, September 6, 2026
Kickoff: 3:15PM
Where: Superior Heights C.&V.S. Turf Field
Algoma Record: 0-2-0
Laurier Record: 1-0-0
