The University of Windsor Lancers took care of business.

Needing a win to clinch an OUA football playoff spot for the first time since 2014, the Lancers rolled to a 39-11 victory over the Waterloo Warriors at Alumni Stadium on Saturday.

“Making the playoffs for the first time in eight years is a huge accomplishment for this program,” Lancers’ head coach Jean-Paul Circelli said. “Since we arrived in 2019, we have doubled our wins each season and the student-athletes have had an incredible university experience.”

The Lancers (4-4) scored the game’s first 31 points against the Warriors (1-7) to secure the sixth seed and a quarter-final match with third-seeded Ottawa.

“I’m so proud of this group for their passion and perseverance,” Circelli said. “Since we arrived, we set a new standard of how we do things and the student-athletes who bought in are now reaping the benefits.”

Freshman running back Joey Zorn scored on a 23-yard run and also caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Danny Skelton. Josh Shim hit Muftah Ageli with a one-yard scoring pass and Adetayo Adeyeye scooped up a fumble and return it for another touchdown. Brady Lidster added two field goals and two converts and Griffin Fenton hit a field goal, two converts and two singles.

“We stress every day that doing things the right way is the hard way, the long way and that there are no shortcuts,” Circelli said. “I told them that they should be proud of (Saturday’s) game and this season’s accomplishments, but that the next task starts (Sunday).”

Saints men’s soccer

The St. Clair Saints men’s soccer team is headed to the OCAA soccer tournament at Humber after beating the Algonquin Wolves 2-1 at Acumen Stadium on Sunday in the playoff cross-over game.

Moussa Nizam scored in the 13th minute and again the 27th minute as the Saints built an early two-goal lead and held off the Huskies for the victory.

Nationals drop Vipers

The LaSalle Vipers rallied to tie the game twice, but eventually fell 4-2 on the road to the London Nationals in Western Conference play in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League on Saturday.

Carson Woodall and Cole Davis scored for the Vipers (7-5-0-1), who were outshot 37-29 and had to kill off six power-play chances for the Nationals (12-1-0-1).

Flyers fall in OT

The Leamington Flyers rallied to force overtime before falling 4-3 on the road to the Strathroy Rockets in Western Conference play in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League on Saturday.

Bryce Scarlett forced overtime for the Flyers (8-2-3-0) with the only goal of the third period before the Rockets (6-4-2-1) got the winner in extra time. Griffin Grundner and Hayden Reid had given Leamington an early 2-0 lead in the game.

Canadiens blank Admirals

Goalie Romano Liburdi made 30 saves to post the shutout as the Lakeshore Canadiens beat the Amherstburg Admirals 5-0 on Sunday in Bill Stobbs Division play in the Provincial Junior Hockey League.

Marco Sladoje scored a pair of goals for the Canadiens (8-1-0-0) while Dean Albano, Jesse Mercier and Ethan Galvan added single goals against the Admirals (4-6-0-0).

Coffey earns honour

The St. Clair Saints’ Shannon Coffey earned national All-Canadian recognition after a fifth-place finish at the CCAA Golf National Championships in Ajax.

It’s the second time in three years Coffey has earned All-Canadian status. Coffey had a four-day total of 44-over par 332, which left her eight shots off a podium finish.

Gardiner nets pair

Nolan Gardiner scored twice to power the University of Windsor Lancers to a 5-1 win over the Laurier Golden Hawks in OUA men’s hockey play on Saturday.

Anthony Stefano, Spencer Lecot and Hunter Holmes added single goals for the Lancers (3-1-0), who also beat the Golden Hawks (0-3-1) 3-2 on Friday.

Gaels drop Lancers

The University of Windsor Lancers women’s hockey team picked up its first point of the season in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Queen’s Gaels on Saturday in OUA action.

Elissa Benjamin scored on a penalty shot for the lone goal of the third period for the Lancers (0-1-1-0) to force overtime where Queen’s (1-1-0-0) would emerge with the win.

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