The Kings step on the Rattlers with the Queens coming away with a draw

Red Deer, October 7, 2023 – The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings win big against the Medicine Hat College Rattlers and keep their playoff hopes alive. The Queens on the other hand scored first but after a late equalizer in the first half, the match ended in a draw.

After the draw, the Queens sit in third place, three points ahead of the Rattlers. The men jump over Medicine Hat into fourth place with the victory and now sit tied with Olds for the final playoff spot in the South Division.

Women's Soccer - Medicine Hat College Rattlers 1 at Queens 1

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens struck first in their match against the Medicine Hat College Rattlers but the visiting team found the equalizer in the late stages of the first half which ended up being the final goal scored in this Thanksgiving weekend match-up.

Defender Payton Erick (Business Administration) was given the first prime opportunity of the match but was stonewalled by Rattlers goalkeeper Abby Lalach (University Studies). But on the next play down the field goalkeeper Abby Kotyk (Bachelor of Kinesiology) came sliding out and picked up a save on a point-blank chance from the Rattlers.

The Queens would open up the scoring off a set play on a free kick. The ball was sent in from the sidelines and found the head of Erick who put the ball across the net. Forward Isabel Anthony (Open Studies) jumped on the free ball and volleyed it into the back of the net to score her first goal since scoring against Medicine Hat in the first weekend of ACAC action.

Forward Keandra Leslie (University Studies) tried to counter but another big sliding save for Kotyk to keep her team up 1-0.

Nearing the half whistle, Brazilian Maisa Rebello (Business Administration) found the equalizer for the Rattlers. Leslie split the Polytechnics defense and Rebello was off to the races where she made no mistake on her finish.

The second half would come and go with no scoring but not without the lack of chances. Queens Erick had a chance and even beat the goalkeeper on the partial breakaway but her next touch came off her foot and went out of bounds.

As for the Rattlers, their best chance was a soft shot from outside the 18-yard box from Leslie but Kotyk corralled it and kept the Queens tied up at one which ended up being the final score at the end of the 90.

Head Coach Mahziar Peyrow explained his team did not show up to play this afternoon in a crucial match that saw the Queens and Rattlers fighting for the third and final playoff spot in the South Division.

"The willingness and wanting to win was not there today. They need to decide whether or not they want to make the playoffs. This should have been decided at the beginning of the season but they need to decide because it is up to them. We have all the answers and we are ready to go but they need that urgency if they want a chance to make playoffs."

The Rattlers player of the game went to midfield Molly Morris (University Studies) with winger Grace Smith (Bachelor of Business Administration) being awarded the honour for the Queens.

Both teams will be in action tomorrow at noon. The Rattlers will take on the Olds College Broncos and the Queens will welcome the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.

Men's Soccer – Medicine Hat College Rattlers 0 at Kings 2

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings played their best match of the season as they shutout the Medicine Hat College Rattlers on this Thanksgiving weekend.

The Kings were given an early opportunity off a free kick just outside the 18-yard box which was taken by striker Jaeden Swartz (Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences) but it was stopped easily stopped by the Rattlers keeper.

The stalemate was finally broken in the late stages of the first half after striker Grant Johnson (Legal Assistant) put one away on a breakaway off a beautiful pass by defender Nicholas Sheasgreen (Open Studies).

Moments later, Swartz would score for the second consecutive week to give the Kings some insurance with minutes left to go in the first 45 minutes as he finished one into the back of the net with authority.

In the second half, the play of game calmed down but in the last 20 minutes of the match, the Kings peppered the Rattlers net with a couple of shots but could not beat the keeper and the Medicine Hat defender who both came up with last second saves to keep it a two goal deficit.

Murray came up with another huge save for the Kings off a point-blank shot in the six-yard box from midfielder Joel Lehr (University Studies) who volleyed it off a cross from the sideline.

The goal chances kept coming for the visitors but they just could not hit the net. On a late free kick just outside the Polytechnic's 18-yard box, Medicine Hat attempted a shot on net but placed it just wide of the target.

But the second half ended scoreless and the Kings managed to walk away with a 2-0 victory over the Rattlers.

Head Coach Admir Sarcevic explained his team rose to the occasion and understand the pressure they were facing heading into this match.

"We started the game a bit slow in the first 20 minutes. But after especially scoring the first goal and then finding the net for a second time not long after, we started to control the game. I was quite impressed with the last 25 minutes of the first half."

With the first clean sheet of his ACAC career, goalkeeper Brian was named the Kings player of the match with midfielder Tata Mugisha (University Studies) taking home the honours for the Rattlers.

The Kings will be back in action tomorrow afternoon as they take on the Lethbridge College Kodiaks with the Rattlers heading down to Olds to take on the Broncos. Both matches will kick-off at 2 pm.