Brock University Athletics

Captain Andrew Baldin made his return during a series against Guelph over the weekend.

Men's Soccer 10/25/2021 1:19:00 PM Stephen Leithwood

Brock men's soccer captain returns during series with Guelph

Box Score The Brock men's soccer team had a familiar face back on the pitch over the weekend.

Captain Andrew Baldin returned to the lineup for the first time in three years as the Badgers played their first set of matches since their bye week began on Oct. 8.

The Badgers lost 1-0 on the road to Guelph on Friday, Oct. 22 and then 2-0 to Guelph at Alumni Field on Sunday, Oct. 24.

Brock (2-5-1) will look to bounce back when they host the Waterloo Warriors (4-2-2) on Friday, Oct. 29, at 8:15 p.m. The match will also serve as the team's Senior Night when they will celebrate seven student-athletes: Baldin, Matthew Wnukowski, Alejandro Puentes, Jaden Nearing-Rampersad, Lucas Mastromattei, Maxwell Kensett and Alex Wallace.

On Sunday, Guelph pressed early and manufactured a pair of goals off crosses. The Badgers responded by controlling much of the play for the rest of the game.

"This game was a tale of two halves. We made a formational shift in the second half, and I thought we won the second, but unfortunately, there were no goals to show for our incredible effort," said head coach Erik Van Wissen.

Baldin, a fourth-year midfielder, made his return from an injury that has kept him out of the lineup since November of 2018. During that time, he's suffered a broken tibia and had twice broken his fibula, and now lives with a titanium rod in his leg.

"Andrew is essential to our team. He's been a leader off the field for the last couple of years, so it's nice to see him back on the field as well," Van Wissen said. "The guys appreciate him and love to have him out there. He has a high work rate, so we're grateful to have him out there. He left it all out there on the field today."

A Finance student from Niagara Falls, Baldin said it was an extraordinary experience to be back on the pitch again.

"It wasn't the result we were looking for as a team, but on a personal note, it was special to get out there one last time in front of a bunch of my family, friends, and the Brock fans," he said. "I've worked so hard and have had so many setbacks along the way, including many times when I didn't think I would ever play again, so it was a great feeling to wear a Brock uniform one last time."

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Players Mentioned

#5 Andrew Baldin: M; 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior

#RS Maxwell Kensett: D; 6' 3"; Second Year

#11 Lucas Mastromattei: CM; 5' 11"; Third Year

#7 Jaden Nearing-Rampersad: CAM; 5' 6"; Fourth Year

#6 Alejandro Puentes: CM; 5' 10"; Fourth Year

#20 Matthew Wnukowski: CM; 6' 0"; Third Year

Players Mentioned

#5 Andrew Baldin
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior
: M

#RS Maxwell Kensett
: 6' 3"; Second Year
: D

#11 Lucas Mastromattei
: 5' 11"; Third Year
: CM

#7 Jaden Nearing-Rampersad
: 5' 6"; Fourth Year
: CAM

#6 Alejandro Puentes
: 5' 10"; Fourth Year
: CM

#20 Matthew Wnukowski
: 6' 0"; Third Year
: CM

Brock University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned