Red Deer Polytechnic announced on Tuesday their Athletes of the Week including Queens soccer Grace Smith and Kings cross country Benjamin House.
Smith, who’s from Sylvan Lake, has begun her third year on the field on a positive note.
In just the second week of regular season play, she knocked in two goals over the weekend.
Her first came on Saturday in their home opener against the Alberta-Augustana Vikings. She scored in the 30th minute to lift the Queens to a 1-0 lead.
Captain Sofia Quinteros kicked it from the corner to the front of the net and Smith was there to deflect the ball past the goaltender. She also assisted on Anessa Harrod’s goal in the second half in the 5-0 win.
Her second came against the SAIT Trojans on Sunday in a 4-1 loss in Calgary. Her goal was just the second tally allowed by the Trojans this season and it broke Calgary’s shot at a shutout during the match. She also won player of the game.
Queens head coach Mahziar Peyrow said the Queens are lucky to have her once again for another year.
“Not only is she fast and skillful on the ball, but she also knows our method of play extremely well and finds those holes to break the defensive line,” he said.
“She’s been connecting with Paige Kalbfleisch well and the two of them are playing at a different level together.”
The Queens will be back in action again this weekend with just one game on the docket against the Ambrose University Lions on Saturday at noon.
This is Red Deer’s Benjamin House’s second consecutive Athlete of the Week honour.
Coming off a great run in the opening grand prix event of the season, House solidified another fantastic performance in the eight-kilometre event in the SAIT Trojans Running Room Grand Prix.
Finishing in third place with a time of 27:59, his fastest time of the year so far, helped the Kings capture first place in the event.
Despite the great run, head coach Doug Spicer said House still has his best days ahead of him.
“He continues to work toward his personal and team goals with very focused dedication. His excellence is surpassed only by his humility and single-minded determination.”
This Saturday the cross country team will head to the third grand prix of the season in Lethbridge.