WATERLOO, Ont. - The Battle of Waterloo kicked off Friday night on Warrior Field as the Warriors women's and men's soccer teams hosted the Laurier Golden Hawks under the lights. 

Laurier drew first blood as their women's side took a 5-2 victory in the opener.

Both Waterloo-based teams are still finding their footing in the 2025 OUA season. The Golden Hawks entered this game with just one win and three draws, while the Warriors are still searching for their first victory, coming into Friday with three losses and a draw. 

Goals have been hard to come by for both squads, with neither team able find the net more than twice in a match up to this point. 

Laurier was able to buck that trend, and it started with Stephanie Geady. The fourth-year forward scored twice in the opening twenty minutes to put her team up two. Ashley Greco and Tamara Lisser added goals to push the lead to four heading into halftime. 

The match lived up to the moniker of battle, with both teams playing a hard-nosed, physical game. The officials were content to let the players settle it on the field, with only four yellow cards being handed out all match; three for Waterloo and one for Laurier. 

Annick Lariviere added a fifth marker for the Golden Hawks in the 64th minute, but Aya Naamani (Oakville, ON/Burlington Bayhawks Soccer Club) answered back for the home squad just three minutes later.  

The Warriors had chance after chance in the final twenty minutes, but only Tayler Schade (Breslau, ON/Cambridge Leauge 1 Reserve) was able to convert with an 82nd minute score. Shenasia Richards assisted on both goals for the Warriors. 

Waterloo will be on the road Sunday, September 14th to take on the Brock Badgers at 1:00 PM. The game can be viewed for free on OUA.tv. 

The Battle of Waterloo continues Saturday, September 13th as the Warriors football team takes on #1 Laurier at 1:00 PM on Warrior Field. It is a Laurier home game, moved to Warrior Field due to renovations at University Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at the box office of in advance at laurierathletics.com/tickets.