The Red Deer Renegades’ attention to detail paid off Sunday at Edgar Park.
“We’ve been focusing a bit more on tactics and formation,” said co-coach Patrick Sweiger, following the team’s 2-1 Alberta Major Women’s Soccer League win over Lethbridge FC.
“Really, we’re just working on players being where they need to be and from there good things have happened.”
Chantal Park and Paula Dadensky provided the Red Deer goals in front of keeper Anne Ulliac and the squad, as a whole, stuck to the game plan. Jaydn Fode scored for the visitors.
“We’ve been focusing more on off the ball movement and what the role of each player is,” Sweiger added. “As a player, 90 per cent of the time you don’t have the ball so we’re trying to stress the importance of what you’re doing without the ball.
“It gave us three points today. It’s a start, there’s still plenty to clean up and it’s going to take a lot of work.”
The victory was Red Deer’s second of the season versus two draws and six losses. The club fell 3-1 Saturday to the host Edmonton Angels.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted,” said Sweiger, in reference to Saturday’s setback. “We didn’t really have a chance to talk to the players about what we needed each person to do as a role. Little things were breaking down.”
But the Renegades rebounded nicely 24 hours later despite being pushed to the end by the visiting side.
“It’s no as fun to play in a tight game,” said Sweiger, a former Red Deer College Kings player. “The reason we play is to have fun, but we want to win as well.
“It was good to have a tight game but even better to come out with three points.”
The Renegades have four regular-season games remaining and don’t return to action until July 29 versus host Edmonton Victoria. The Red Deer squad will be in Calgary Aug. 5 to face the Callies, will host Calgary CFSC Major Aug. 16 at Edgar Park and will visit Lethbridge Aug. 22.