Rebels bounce back
The RRC Rebels men’s soccer team won their first game in 15 years on Sept. 24, with a score of 2-1 against the team from the Canadian Mennonite University (CMU).
Player Bryan Collins earned bragging rights after scoring the first goal in recent Rebel history. On the weekend of Sept. 24, the team won both their games bringing their record to 2-2 (as of Oct. 1).
Head coach Paul Thompson said beginning the season as a brand new team has had its challenges.
“Other teams have had all winter to prepare, we just started a month ago.” said Thompson. “It feels good that we didn’t lose. I’m just happy we didn’t lose.”
He has felt a lot of pressure as a new coach of new team, and has been aching to bring home a win.
Collins was ecstatic about earning the first goal for the Rebels season.
“It feels pretty amazing. I can’t even explain it. I’ve never scored a goal off a free kick before- ever. It was crazy,” he said.
Rebels began the first half of the game running into the wind, causing goal kicks to drop short. Defense played strong as a unit, and forwards had a lot of chances on net. Playing a pretty even game, Rebels entered the second half the game with no score.
“It’s 0-0 at half and we still have a good chance of winning this game,” Ryan Ratushniak, Rebels Athletic Coordinator, said at half-time.
Rebels entered the second-half of the game with a dominating force, executing plays, and finishing on net.
“On the field- I don’t really wanna tell you. But our counter- attack is pretty good. Our set plays are petty good as well. Lot’s of chances on goal,” said Thompson.
Collins, Ratushniak and Thompson all agree that the team is full of talented players that want to be there and are excited to play. The challenge in moving forward this season is to learn to play well together well as a unified team.
Collins said, “We all want to be here, we all want to play, so it’s a matter of getting it together; finishing it together.”
Rebels will have a chance to reclaim their victory against CMU this Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 8pm at the Soccer Complex
