Kings 4 Lions 0
It wasn’t the perfect game for the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings soccer team but nevertheless, the squad got their first victory of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association season against the Ambrose University Lions 4-0.
At least that’s how head coach Admir Sarcevic felt Saturday afternoon when his team scored four answered goals in the second half. He hoped the Kings would have played better in the first half.
“The first half was definitely not what we talked about (what) we were going to do and after halftime, the players came out and played the way we want them and expect them to play and the end result shows,” Sarcevic said.
It was a slow start for the Kings and Sarcevic said there were too many mental mistakes at the beginning of the match. He also felt his team in the first half made multiple poor passes and lacked desire and motivation.
“As soon as the effort came in, there was no question. You got the talent, you got a decent squad, and obviously, we got some injuries at the moment so that’s reflecting on us as well,” he added.
After a scoreless first half, striker Eduardo Crespo scored two goals, one at the 46-minute mark, and the other 70 minutes in. Just two minutes later, striker Grant Johnson fired one into the back of the net. Crespo would later put the cherry on top of the cake and score his third of the game to complete the hat trick and secure the 4-0 win.
“The second half showed what we can do. Definitely bringing on Eduardo made a huge impact on the team as well so that was good to see,” he said. “It’s always nice to win and hopefully we can build on this.”
Sarcevic said Crespo is not only talented at Soccer but is a great guy. He is also a multi-sport athlete and plays basketball for the Kings during the season, which is his main sport. In March of this year, Crespo was named the South Division’s ACAC Rookie of the Year in basketball.
“He expressed interest to play soccer as well and we’re happy to accommodate him… What personally I like about him is he’s a player who can make a difference in a game, who can turn things around for us which he definitely did.
“A natural athlete and this year he’s got definitely all the Kings soccer players cheering him on in the basketball games for sure.”
The Kings lost their home opener to the SAIT Trojans 7-4 last weekend and with the win, on Saturday the Kings improved to 1-1. Next Saturday they will play the Medicine Hat College Rattlers at Red Deer Polytechnic at 4 p.m.
