EDMONTON — The Red Deer Renegades came up short in a pair of Alberta Major Women’s Soccer League games during the weekend.
The Renegades faced the Edmonton Victoria, who has already secured first place in the league and will be a heavy favourites in the provincials, on Saturday and the Edmonton squad needed a pair of late goals on corner kicks to pull out a 3-1 victory.
The shorthanded Renegades had to turn around and face the Saints in Calgary Sunday afternoon and dropped a 2-0 decision.
Sydney Daines notched her fifth goal of the season for the Renegades against Victoria, who got two goals from Red Deer native Heather Lund.
Micaela Stone of the U18 team was in goal for the Renegades while Chantal Park, up from the U16 program, played defence.
“We played very well against the top team in the league,” said Renegades assistant coach Paul Morigeau. “We were in tough against them, but battled them hard. Several players turned in excellent performances, including Micaela and Chantal.”
The Renegades were missing team scoring leader Paula Dadensky and goaltender Lauren Good, who are with their university teams.
“We had two extras on the bench Sunday and they were call ups from the youth programs,” said Morigeau. “Sunday was a tough game because of a lack of bodies and it was 30 degrees and on artificial turf. The girls wore down after playing on Saturday.”
Park was on goal.
“She played great . . . neither goal was her fault,” said Morigeau.
The Renegades did receive some good news on Sunday as they learned they will qualify for the provincials on the September long weekend.
“We should have all our players back by then,” Morigeau said.
The Renegades have two league games remaining as they visit the Calgary Callies Saturday and host the Calgary Saints Sunday at noon at Edgar Park.