Sault Ste. Marie, ON - On Saturday the Western Mustangs traveled to Sault Ste. Marie for an action-packed double header against Algoma University to kick off their 2019 OUA season.

Western looked extremely organized and came out to a swinging start as they scored 4 goals in the first half of play.

Freshmen Matthew Albert opened the scoring after a well worked set-piece that saw Jeremy Arnold slip the youngster in behind the Algoma defence.

Soon after, Nimi Adeyemo doubled the lead with a cracking left-foot finish after a sizzling cross field pass from another freshmen – Josh Rowland. Nimi Adeyemo and Jeremy Arnold each put one more past the Algoma keeper before halftime.

Similar to the first 45, the second half belonged entirely to the Mustangs – particularly third year Luca Trivisono who put his shooting skills on display as he netted two cracking long shots making it 6-0.

Braeden Gee rounded things off in the 90^th minute with a poachers goal – a nice welcome back for the big man as he returns from a terrible ACL injury last season.

On Sunday the game got off to a quiet start, with the Thunderbirds defending in a compact low-block and making it difficult for the Mustangs to break them down.

The deadlock broke in the 25^th minute as marksman Anthony Chrysanthou netted his first of the OUA campaign after a lovely lay-off by 4^th year Jonathan Hodge.

The second goal was unfortunate for the Thunderbirds as a Mustang cross from Taylor Harris took a deflection off one of the Thunderbird defenders for an own goal.

Jamu Iluya also netted his first of the season after an unselfish pass from freshmen Josh Rowland.

The Thunderbirds fought back in the second half, winning a penalty that was converted to close the Mustang lead and leave the score at 3-1.

The Mustangs responded swiftly with Anthony Chrysanthou getting in behind before putting a ball across the face of goal that saw another Thunderbird defender unluckily put the goal in their own net for a second own goal. Josh Rowland finally got on the score sheet as he calmly finished a cut-back pass provided by Christian Devia to put the Mustangs up 5-1. 

Western will now travel back to London as they prepare to open their home schedule Friday night at Mustang Field vs Laurier.