Queens 2 Cougars 1
Stephanie Tremblay is writing a perfect ending to her athletic career at Red Deer College.
The fifth-year native of St. Paul notched her fourth goal, in as many games, as the Queens (3-0-1) dumped the Mount Royal University Cougars 2-1 in Alberta Colleges Women’s Soccer League play at RDC Sunday afternoon.
Tremblay’s second half marker proved to be the winner, breaking a 1-1 tie.
“It’s been a good start for me, but more so the team,” said Tremblay, who is playing striker while Rachel Gaudry rests a sore knee.
Tremblay started the season at outside midfield, a new position for her.
“I wasn’t comfortable coming in when I found out I was going to play a new position, but (head coach) David McCarthy is super knowledgeable . . . a great coach and any question I had he had a detailed answer for me on what I have to do. So it’s been good in that he’s providing me with enough direction.
“And whatever works out better for the team is what really matters.”
Tremblay enjoys playing up front, but she’ll be happy to see Gaudry back.
“She’s super reliable and I really trust her after only two games together.”
While Tremblay has her hands full with soccer, she’s also concentrating on basketball. She joined the basketball Queens at Christmas last season and will spend the whole season with them this year.
“It’s my last year (at RDC) and I want to do both,” she said. “It’s tough early on as I’m a bit wore out attending both practices, but both coaches have been super as well. Dawn (basketball Queens head coach Dawn Smyth) sits me out of some of the drills, but that’s hard for me to do. I want to be in there.”
Last season Tremblay found she had a lot of catching up to do when she joined the basketball squad.
“Coming in late I didn’t know the systems and was catching up. So this year it’ll be a lot easier and more comfortable for me as we’re running the same systems.”
But she’ll also be playing a different role after being used mainly in a leadership and defensive role last season.
“But this year we’re a bit short on guards and I’ll contribute more offensively, but that’ll be fun,” said Tremblay, who played basketball at NAIT prior to switching to RDC.
Allison Walsh scored the other RDC goal Sunday while Lauren Good was outstanding in goal. Donella Lockhart connected for MRU (2-1-0).
The Queens started a bit slow, but by the 20 minute mark were showing they didn’t have to take a back seat to the Cougars.
“I think about 20 minutes we realized we could compete with them. We got rid of the skeletons of the past and pushed on in the second half and got our reward against a team that hasn’t lost a regular season game in some time,” said McCarthy, who had a talk to his players before the game about defending home turf.
“We set a target of what we want to do at home. It’s our home field and we want to make it as much of a fortress as we can.”
Cougars 1 Kings 0
The Kings, 1-1-2, couldn’t find their offensive touch in dropping the 1-0 decision to the Cougars, who ran their record to 3-0.
“They’re a tough side and were able to snuff out the things we wanted to do,” said Kings head coach Steve Fullarton.
“I thought we matched up technically, but they just didn’t give us anything. They’re the best side we faced this season, but we also made them work for it.”
The Kings managed a couple of scoring chances, but couldn’t beat netminder David Thalheimer.
“Those chances are few and far between and you have to take advantage of them against teams like Mount Royal or you’re in trouble.”
Brad Hughes played a strong game in goal for the Kings, allowing only a second-half marker by Sean Burchill on a deflection.
RDC faces Lakeland College in a home-and-home next weekend — Saturday in Lloydminster and Sunday at RDC. The women kick off at 2 p.m. with the men to follow.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com*