Queens 7 Vikings 3
The RDP Queens made a statement to open the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference playoffs.
RDP scored five times in the first half en route to a 7-3 rout over the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings in the ACAC South Division quarter-final.
“It was good. Actually, Augustana came out and played really well in the first half. There were some moments where I was a little bit caught off guard, but it was good and the girls handled it well and we were able to get a step on them,” said Queens head coach Mahziar Peyrow.
Veteran Queens striker Alisha Coules notched a hat trick in the first half and added a fourth goal for good measure in the 55th minute. She was player of the game for RDP.
“That’s the old (Alisha) coming out to play. That’s what we’ve been missing this whole year and excited to see it back. It was good to see her out there, doing what she does best,” added Peyrow.
The Queens could have done more damage in the second half, hitting the crossbar twice.
The Vikings managed to claw back momentarily in the later stages, scoring a pair of goals less than five minutes apart in the 75th and 79th minute that cut the deficit in half. Dominique Jackson bookended the scoring for the Queens in the 81st minute.
Jenica Swartz and Sofia Quinteros also scored for RDP in the victory.
With the win, the Queens will take on the Lethbridge College Kodiaks Sunday in Lethbridge in the division semi-final. The Queens were shutout 4-0 by the Kodiaks earlier this season in their only matchup of the year. The Kodiaks are the reigning ACAC bronze medalists.
“Our plan for this weekend, we need to win the ball,” said Peyrow.
“We need to press on that ball and when we lose the ball, it’s the counter-press that counts. Winning that ball back within three seconds. Not allowing any moments of opportunity for Lethbridge at all. Zero.”
The RDP Kings will host the Kodiaks Sunday in the south semi-final at 3 p.m.