HAMILTON, Ont.— The McMaster Marauders split a pair of contests on Friday and Sunday evening.

In their season opener on August 30 at York Lions Stadium, the Birds (1-1) faced a tough battle against the York Lions (2-0), falling 2-0.

Despite several promising opportunities, McMaster struggled to find the back of the net. York seized control early, with their first goal coming in the 21st minute. The Lions extended their lead with a second goal at 14:15, making it 2-0. The Marauders managed nine shots, including five on target, but were unable to convert their chances into goals.

However, McMaster rebounded with resilience during their home opener on Sunday evening, securing a 2-0 victory over the Badgers (0-2).

The Marauders quickly took the lead as Amir Shirazi (Oakville, Ont.) cleverly maneuvered the ball past the visitors' goalkeeper. The match showcased a fierce physical contest, with both teams displaying impressive defensive efforts, leaving the score unchanged for the remainder of the first half. McMaster led 1-0 after the first 45-minutes.

In the 52nd minute, Shirazi struck again, scoring his second goal of the season and cementing McMaster's triumph. The Marauders' solid defensive performance and exceptional goalkeeping proved to be the game-changer, with third-year keeper Ethan Cagalj (Stoney Creek, Ont.) making two crucial saves.

Up next, the Marauders will take on the Windsor Lancers (0-1-1) at Alumni Stadium on Friday, September 6.