EDMONTON — The RDC Kings didn’t let the disappointment of a loss in the semifinals stop them from winning bronze at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference men’s soccer championships.
The Kings, who lost 3-0 to the NAIT Ooks Saturday, came back to edge the Lethbridge Kodiaks 2-1 Sunday.
“I’m extremely proud of the players,” said Kings head coach Steve Fullarton, who is coach of the year in the south. “They didn’t let the disappointment of the loss to NAIT stop them. They were determined to come home with something, and they deserved it.”
The Kings jumped into a 2-0 lead in the first half against the Kodiaks on goals by Mark Ibbotson and Sam Day.
“It was Mark’s ninth goal of the season, quite an accomplishment for a rookie,” said Fullarton. “Sam’s goal came on a rebound after Nolan (Hamilton) was stopped by their goalie.”
Fullarton started backup goalie Morgan Drews in the first half and he made a spectacular save to keep the score 2-0 at the break. Rayden Beveridge played the second half and also played a major role in the victory.
“Lethbridge came out determined in the second half and put a lot of pressure on us, plus we played the last 10 minutes down a man when Andrew Jevne received a red card. But to the guys credit they dug deep and defended well.”
On Saturday the Kings dominated play in the first half, but couldn’t convert, which eventually did them in. They trailed 1-0 at the break, which came at the wrong time, according to Fullarton.
“We were putting a lot of pressure on them and dominating play at the time.”
NAIT came on in the second half and controlled the play.
“I have no complaints as they have a strong side and our effort was there.”
Grant MacEwan won both the men’s and women’s titles, beating NAIT 3-1 in the men’s final and 3-2 in the women’s game.