Trojans over Kings in afternoon contest

Brent Forster - RDC

The Red Deer College Kings Soccer team were coming off a thrilling victory yesterday and were looking for that energy to carry over into Sunday's game against the visiting SAIT Trojans. The Kings worked hard against the undefeated Trojans but after a scoreless 1st half, SAIT scored twice in the 2nd half and picked up a 2-0 road win. 

Talon Grenier once again started in goal for the Kings while Bader Alenazi got the nod for the Trojans.

There were few good chances in the opening half but the goalkeepers couldn't be beaten. The SAIT Trojans nearly picked up the 1st goal but hit the post to Grenier's right. The teams headed to the half tied 0-0 and the Kings played a competitive 45 minutes.

Jacob Hamilton took over in net for the Kings in the 2nd half. Moments into the half, Hugo Janssen created a great chance for RDC. The Open Studies student moved around two SAIT defenders and sent a pass to Shaun Funk who fired a shot just over the net. 

William Akio, of the Trojans, opened the scoring in the 52nd minute. Akio received a pass out front and struck a low shot that got past a diving Hamilton. In the 70th minute, Jake Walmsley extended SAIT's lead by a pair when he found the back of the Kings' net with a low shot to the left.

Head Coach Wade Groenewegen credited the Kings for a great effort against a good Trojans team. "SAIT is a much older and experienced team, and we executed perfectly in the first half. We knew that we needed to hang on and it was unfortunate that we couldn't bury one when we had a good chance," said Groenewegen. "I'm not disappointed in the performance. Yes, we'd like a different result but I don't think our guys could have given us anymore. Our level of play is rising. If we can continue to raise our game, we are not as far out of it as the standings may show by the end of this weekend. We have our plan and are trying to build on it." 

Matthew Elphick was named the Kings player-of-the-game while Dean Northover received the honour for the Trojans.

Groenewegen appreciated the steady play from Elphick and Koltan Childs. "Early in the season we were running Matt (Elphick) at centreback where we ran him today. We knew that we needed to wall-up today and we tried him there again," said Groenewegen. "He was a rock. Both Matt and Koltan (Childs) were under immense pressure the whole game and they just dealt with it again and again." 

Kings first-year midfielder, Kyle Bett, liked the effort. "We held them down for the first half quite well. I think we played a pretty good game today," said Bett. "We have come together as a team. The guys are great and have come together quite well. We are better understanding each other's play. Looking ahead, we have to step up in those crucial moments and take our chances in front of the net." 

The RDC Kings (1-3-0) will host the Lakeland College Rustlers (1-2-1) on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 4:00 p.m at the RDC Field.