The first time the Red Deer Renegades faced the Edmonton Northwest United in Alberta Major Women’s Soccer League play this season it was 6-0 for the Edmonton squad.
The second time was more respectable, although the Renegades still lost 2-0 to the United crew at RDC Wednesday.
“They scored on a corner kick in the first three minutes and it seemed to put us back on our heels a bit for the next 20 to 30 minutes,” said Renegades assistant coach Paul Morigeau, who is handling the team with Ado Sarcevic away. “But the final 60 minutes we went blow for blow with them and they are one of the top teams in the league.”
The Renegades had a couple of good scoring chances, including a penalty kick. However, in the long run Edmonton enjoyed the better opportunities, but goaltender Micaela Stone, a call up from the U18 program, wouldn’t break. She couldn’t be faulted on either goal and made a number of outstanding saves.
“We called up three players and had them all in in the second half and they gave us an energy boost,” said Morigeau. “Micaela did an excellent job considering it was her first game with us.”
Robyn MacDonald and Chantal Park, both up from the U16 team, played with the Renegades earlier in Lethbridge. Park played goal in the win in Lethbridge, but was playing out on Wednesday.
“She’s a double threat,” said Morigeau. “She was scouted by a university earlier when she was playing out, then another university recruited her when she was in goal. And I think she’s still 15.”
The loss left the Renegades with a 4-4 record and in fifth place. It also set the stage for a pair of important games against the Edmonton Angels. The two meet Sunday at noon at RDC and Aug,. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Edgar Park.
“Those are huge games for us as we beat them twice it gets us into the provincials,” said Morigeau. “I know we’ll have our A game for sure and this was a good tune-up for us.”
Overall the Renegades have six league games remaining, including two against the Calgary Saints, who are just behind them in the standings.