Queens cap off strong weekend edging Lions at home

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB –  Saturday's hard fought shutout win against the U of A Augustana Vikings took a lot of energy out of the RDC Queens, but they had enough in the tank to down the Ambrose University Lions 24 hours later. 

The RDC Queens had a strong opening half, controlling the play and cashing in on two opportunities against the visiting Lions. As fatigue set in, the Lions pressed in the second half, reducing the gap to one but they couldn't add the equalizer. The Queens finalized a 2-1 home decision.

The Red Deer College Queens connected early at RDC Main Field. RDC Business Administration student Ashley Thomson located Natalie Frenette, who accelerated her pace. Then Frenette, a second-year midfielder, maneuvered past a Lions defender and found the corner behind Ambrose goalkeeper Janelle Reimer in the 7th minute.

The Queens controlled the ball and with four minutes left in the half, they went up by a pair. Queens leading goal scorer Alisha Coules applied pressure and eventually set up Ashley Thomson, who made no mistake for a 2-0 edge.

Over 45 minutes, the Queens recorded six shots on Reimer. RDC second-year goalkeeper Alethea Riemer turned aside one attempt.

The Lions created a few more chances in the latter half and they were eventually rewarded in the 88th minute. Ambrose University Biology student Meg Buchanan found space behind Riemer to pull within one. The Lions couldn't put another one past the Queens goalkeeper and the home team sealed a 2-1 victory.

Queens Head Coach Esad Elkaz noted the difficulty of maintaining a high level of energy over 90 minutes after an intense game on Saturday. "I think they ran out of gas a little bit because they were very strong yesterday against Augustana," he says. "But it's a win."

With every victory important as the regular season winds down, Elkaz appreciated the effort and results over the two weekend contests. "Especially against Augustana, they left their hearts on the field. They played so hard and it was great to see that," he says. "We know what this team can do, so it's not surprising for the coaching staff how they played."

Stettler's Alisha Coules was recognized as the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game. Calgary's Emily Hintz received the award for the Lions.

Hintz and Coules

"Alisha is such a good person first, and a good player," says Elkaz. "She has everything that a forward should have. Her speed, her technique – it's just unbelievable."

Alethea Riemer finished with eight saves and Janelle Reimer had four.

After eight games, the RDC Queens are locked in a three-way tie for third with the Medicine Hat College Rattlers (3-2-3) and U of A Augustana Vikings (4-4-0). All three squads have 12 points in the south standings. The Lethbridge College Kodiaks (5-1-2) lead the pack with 17 points. The Olds College Broncos (5-2-1) are second with 16 points. Four regular season games remain for RDC.

On Sunday, October 13, the Queens (4-4-0) will take on the Broncos (5-2-1) in Olds at noon in a Women's Cancer Awareness Game.