Swartz rewrites ACAC history as Queens drop Lions at Red Deer Polytechnic

Brent Forster - RDP Athletics

Red Deer, AB - Red Deer Polytechnic Queens forward Jenica Swartz moved into the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women's Soccer history books Friday afternoon.

Against the visiting Ambrose University Lions, the first-year Bachelor of Science Pre-Professional Medicine student incredibly scored 11 times, leading the Queens to a 22-0 victory. The previous ACAC Women's Soccer goal scoring record was seven in a game.

"I am really excited about the record. I feel it is a big accomplishment, but it couldn't have happened without all my teammates supporting me," said Swartz. "The balls through – that was because of my teammates. I was just the finishing touch on a bunch of those."

The RDP Queens opened the scoring in the seventh minute against a shorthanded opponent. Second-year forward Reesa Garez beat a Lions defender and zipped the ball into the left side of the net behind Ambrose's goalkeeper Tristan Kondo.

Garez (5)

The Queens continued to press the Lions, and the goals followed.

Coules (9)

Over 45 minutes, Jenica Swartz led Red Deer Polytechnic's attack with four goals. Alisha Coules and Reesa Garez, both from Stettler, contributed three goals each. Grace Smith and Sofia Quinteros had singles.

Smith (4)

At the half, the home team built a 12-0 cushion.

In the latter 45 minutes, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens added 10 more goals, finalizing a 22-0 win.

"I thought the Lions played well. It's hard to come to a game shorthanded," said Mahziar Peyrow, Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Soccer Head Coach. "They stepped on the pitch with only nine players and then in the second half, they went down to eight. Kudos to them."

Lacombe's Jenica Swartz exploded for seven goals in the second half. Paige Kalbfleisch had a pair of goals and Jaden Humphrey contributed one.

"We wanted to be able to control the play. We wanted to be able to utilize some of the plays that we have been working on - stretching the play out, moving the ball, wearing them down," said Peyrow. "We tried to stick with the program and set the pace."

Jenica Swartz was named the North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game. In addition to her 11 goals, she also recorded 17 of the Queens' 45 shots on net.

Peyrow was impressed with Swartz's performance, including the addition of her name to the conference record books.

"It is amazing. Jenica will definitely be recognized for that, but I knew that she would do great things for us with her pace," said Peyrow. "Her play is amazing right now. I hope she keeps it up."

Swartz was informed at the break about the ACAC Women's Soccer goal scoring record.

"At half-time I had four goals and Mahz said he would keep me in and go for the record, which was seven," said Swartz. "I had a lot of good opportunities set up by my team. Being on the Queens Soccer team is a positive environment to be part of - we are all encouraging each other to work harder and put in the extra work."

Midfielder Skye Schott received the top player honour for the Lions.

Kondo made 23 saves for Ambrose University. Queens goalkeeper Danyelle Bouvier, a first-year Bachelor of Science Nursing student, did not have any shots to contend with.

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (2-1-0) will face the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings (0-3-0) in Camrose at 2 pm on Saturday, October 2, 2021. After Saturday's match, the Queens have two remaining games in the regular season schedule.

The top six teams in each division will qualify for the postseason.