Lancer varsity soccer squads will play their first home games of 2018 Friday, hosting the Brock Badgers on Alumni Field.

Both coaches cite their teams’ ambition as reason for optimism.

“It’s in the locker room,” says men’s head coach Ryan Mendonca. “There’s already something, there’s a connection they’re finding with one another.”

Women’s head coach Steve Hart says it is “mandatory” that his players earn a playoff berth.

“What’s got us really pleased is the chemistry with this team,” he says. “This year is an absolute great year for chemistry and we’re hoping any team that can gel off the field … can gel on the field.”

The August 31 home openers are set for the evening — the women will play at 6 p.m. and the men at 8:15 p.m. The Lancers will host the McMaster Marauders on Saturday, September 1; game time is 1 p.m. for the women and 3:15 p.m. for the men.