OTTAWA, Ont. – The Durham College women's soccer team opened up OCAA conference play with a 3-0 loss against the Algonquin Thunder in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon.
 
Coming into the game on a 69-game OCAA conference unbeaten streak, the Thunder showed no signs of slowing down as they look to win their third consecutive title in 2017.
 
Durham played the Thunder pretty tight for the opening half hour before giving up the first goal. The Thunder would take advantage of a mental error late in the half to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room.
 
It was a much better second half for Durham with the team playing with more confidence and determination. A late goal by the Thunder with only a few minutes remaining made it a 3-0 final.
 
Durham goalkeeper Jayden Ball (Oshawa, Ont.) made 17 saves in the loss.
 
"Algonquin is a very good team, it's one of the best soccer programs in the country and they are the bench mark that we strive to challenge in the future," said Alex Bianchi, who is entering his first full season as Durham's head coach. "We will take the positives from the game and focus on a very busy week with three important games."
 
Algonquin's last conference loss came against the Lords in the 2009 season. Durham won a silver medal that season which marks their last podium finish.
 
Durham will host the Loyalist Lancers in their 2017 home opener on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Vaso's Field. Game time is 6 p.m.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE LORDS
Overall Record: 1-3-0
Conference Record: 0-1-0
 
Next Game: Wed. Sept. 13 vs. Loyalist (6 p.m.)