OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT men's soccer team managed to erase a 2-0 first half deficit to tie the visiting Windsor Lancers 2-2 in their preseason opener.
 
Trailing by two goals with just over a half hour left in the game, captain Erik Petrovic sent in sophomore Lee-Victor Massunda alone on goal who beat the sprawling goalkeeper to get the Ridgebacks on the board.
 
In the 81^st minute, UOIT managed to level the score when 2014 rookie of the year Andrea Cicciarella soared in the air to head in a cross from freshman Matthew Huang.
 
Just three minutes later, Huang had a glorious attempt on goal to give UOIT the lead but the ball rang off the crossbar and over the net.
 
The Ridgebacks had a big gap to close because of the strong play from Windsor's Leighton Price who scored two goals in the opening 11 minutes.
 
The game ended on a sour note for UOIT as Davon Graeves collided with a Lancer player along the sidelines. The 6'5 defender suffered a serious leg injury and was not able to return to play as the athletic therapy staff tended to him as time expired.
 
UOIT will return to the pitch on Saturday as they travel to Brampton to take on the Sheridan Bruins. It will be a tough test for the Ridgebacks as Sheridan enters the season as the defending CCAA national champions.
 
A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 0-0-1
Conference Record 0-0-0
 
Next Game: Sat. Aug. 22 @ Sheridan