On an overcast Saturday afternoon at Warrior Field, the Waterloo Warriors fell to the Windsor Lancers – 44-18 - in a highly anticipated homecoming tilt.

Current students, alumni, and donors took to the bleachers and the berm, and brought the energy all day long.

Pre-game, Warrior Field and both lineups stood as one in solidarity - to honour the passings of Warrior Daniel Molla (Kitchener-Waterloo, ONT/Laurel Heights Secondary School) and Lancer Nathan Guizetti - with a moment of silence.

At kickoff, the Warriors played with a "defense wins championships" type attitude, and it paid dividends. On the third play of the game, defensive back Hayden Crowe (Milton, ONT/Christ the King) picked off a pass from Lancer quarterback Kareame Cotton, and took it five yards to the house.

Crowe's catch and score ignited an early fire inside Warrior Field. A monumental play on homecoming day.

After the touchdown - the game quickly got away from the home side - who were down 17-7 after the first quarter. Off of a tough and gritty 13-play drive to start the second quarter - Waterloo brought the ball into range for kicker Evan Astolfo (Burlington, ONT/Corpus Christi) to capitalize – which he did on a 24-yard field goal to cut the Lancer lead in half.

Down 27-10 in the third, Warriors quarterback Nick Orr (Caledon/Mayfield Secondary School) – who once again showed his hustle in another brilliant outing on the ground – floated a dime to Evan Basalyga (Thunder Bay, ONT/Westgate CVI) in the corner of the endzone for six. Off the ensuing play, the crowd generated even more energy - as the Lancers conceded a rouge point – bringing Waterloo within nine points.

For the second-consecutive home game, Orr led the Warriors in rushing yards with 64. In the air, he threw for 178 yards, including the seven-yard touchdown pass to Basalyga. The Lancer backfield had a huge presence in this one, picking off Orr on two occasions.

Despite the struggles of breaking through the Lancer defense, the Warriors showed yet again, that they can get the ball rolling early against the toughest of OUA opponents.

Both sides of the Warriors lineup made noise in the loss. Logan Heroux (Burlington, ONT/Logan Heroux) (Burlington, ONT/Logan Heroux (Burlington, ONT/Logan Heroux)) had a tremendous afternoon - with three stunning catches for 64 yards receiving, including a long gain of 41 yards – which also goes to show that Orr's effort is to be acknowledged.

On defense, Crowe's pick-six, and pounding tackles from the likes of the always reliable linebacking duo of Michael Omoseni (Burlington, ONT/Assumption Catholic Secondary) and Arden Martinez (Niagara Falls, ONT/A.N Myer) were high-points to take from the day.

The electricity of the early start is something that Crowe, Heroux, and head coach Chris Bertoia all believe make the Warriors a threat in this province.

"We know what we can do with the ball," said Crowe-post game. "Continuing to come out at full speed, just like we practice will keep our heads level," he added.

Heroux – who made his season debut after an injury left him out of Waterloo's lineup for the first three games – was valiant in return. "We see glimpses of us being the best offense in this league," Heroux said post-game. His eye-"catching" receptions and runs with the ball in particular - stood out in a tough loss – rendering that quote as accurate.

Bertoia and the team now look ahead to a week five duel in Guelph against the Gryphons next Saturday.

"Next week is the next opportunity," Bertoia mentioned post-game. "I love going into atmospheres like Guelph's to try to spoil the party," he added.

The Warriors will return to Warrior Field on Saturday, October 3, at 1:00 PM - for a Battle of Waterloo showdown - with their cross-town rival Laurier Golden Hawks. Tickets are available at gowarriorsgo.ca/tickets.