Coach wants Queens to play ‘A’ game all the time
Queens 8 Broncos 0
One would think that an 8-0 win would satisfy RDC Queens head coach Dave Colley.
But then it wasn’t the score that bothered him following the Alberta Colleges Women’s Soccer League victory over the Olds Broncos Sunday afternoon at RDC.
“We came out blazing and were up 4-0 and as it happens in games like this your standards drop a little,” he said. “We did what it took to get the win, but that’s why I gave them a wee talking to, It wasn’t acceptable. They should play their A game all the time. We’re working on playing our A game in training and take that into the games.”
Sunday’s contest came 24 hours after the Queens let a 2-1 lead get away from them late and tied the SAIT Trojans 2-2.
“It was frustrating,” said Colley. “We’re up and let that get away. Then today we weren’t as slick as we needed to be, especially following a game like that.”
Queens fifth-year midfielder and co-captain Kayla Keenan agreed.
“We need to bring our game up as we hope to get to the nationals,” she said. “We need to train harder and excel in the game so there are no surprises when we get to the playoffs and play the north teams.”
This year’s edition of the Queens has four fifth-year and one fourth-year player but is also a bit younger than last year.
“Compared to last year we are,” said Keenan, who is co-captain with defender Amber Regnier. “Half the team is new so it’s a process to get everyone up to the same level and do well.”
The Queens strength is on defence and in goal with second-year keeper Jesse Stewart.
“Jesse and Lauren (Good) shared last year and with Lauren gone Jesse has some big shoes to fill, but she’s stepped up and is doing a great job,” said Keenan.
Stewart has two shutouts in her first three starts this season.
Meanwhile, first-year striker, Paula Dadensky scored twice in both weekend games. Teagan Donald, Sarah Fulmer, Shannon Middlemiss, Hallee Peter, Terra Salmon and Claire Wallace also connected against Olds, who had only one substitute and she was injured.
“It’s tough for them as a new team in the league and being shorthanded,” said Colley. “But they played hard and hats off to them. They never stopped and have a couple of good players who ran the show for them.”
The Queens are 2-0-1 record as they head into Medicine Hat (3-0) and Lethbridge (0-3).
“We have to show up and start the game quickly or we’ll be in trouble against Medicine Hat,” said Colley.
Kings 2 Broncos 1
The Kings inability to convert their chances, plus the strong goaltending of Broncs Jos vanHaastert of Rimbey, kept the men’s contest close to the final whistle. In fact the Kings needed to overcome an early 1-0 deficit to pull out the 2-1 victory.
“Olds pushed us to the limit, credit to them,” said Kings head coach Steve Fullarton. “You can’t give anyone a goal start at this level as right away it gives them something to hang on to. But we stuck at it and hung on, but the chances we missed were unbelievable. We missed a penalty kick just before the end of the first half and then missed a number of other good opportunities. We were very fortunate to come away with the win.”
The Broncos also missed a chance to pull out the tie as they hit the post late in the game.
“Credit to a new team to come in and they gave us a good workout.”
On the other side the Kings may have been a little unlucky not to tie SAIT Saturday as they dropped a 1-0 decision.
“We played well the first half and overall out-chanced them,” said Fullarton. “So looking at that we needed the three points today.”
The Kings are 1-1-1 with SAIT first at 4-0-0. Olds has one win in four starts.
The Kings also lost captain Patrick Sweiger with torn knee ligaments with less than a minute remaining in Saturday’s match.
“That’s a huge loss,” said Fullarton. “He’s an important presence on and off the field. Plus we’re already short.”
The Kings also lost second-year defender Andrew Jevne in the first half against Olds.
Hayden Slaymaker and Geng Thain scored against Olds, who got a goal from Mitch Sawatzky.
Queens hockey
The hockey Queens turned in a solid performance in an exhibition meeting with the University of Alberta Pandas before dropped a 2-1 decision.
“Their winning goal came with 24 seconds left when the shot came out of the corner and deflected in off a skate,” said Queens head coach Trevor Keeper.
Jayna Kitchen scored for RDC while goaltender Camille Trautman finished with 34 saves. The Queens managed 18 shots on goal.
Golf
Kyle Morrison turned in a sparkling 69 for the RDC golf team during the opening day of the ACAC Northern Regionals at Redtail Landing near Leduc.
However, Morrison won’t be able to win the men’s title as he has a class he has to attend today. As well the RDC team couldn’t use his score and as a result are fourth with a 326 total.
Grant MacEwan has a 294 total with Olds at 315, NAIT 323 and Medicine Hat 332.
Jeff Northcott had a 74 for RDC while Joel Carroll shot an 81.
The RDC women have a 44 total with MacEwan at 168, Medicine Hat 202 and Olds 241.
drode@reddeeradvocate.com
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