By Jake Maurice
The RRC Rebels men’s and women’s soccer teams faced off with the Canadian Mennonite University Blazers Sunday afternoon, with wildly different results.
Men’s Team Forfeits Due to Injury
The Rebels men’s soccer team was trailing 2-0 at halftime to the Blazers on Sunday. The RRC 10-man roster lost four players to injury in the match forcing the team to forfeit at the half — resulting in a 3-0 loss.
The team only had around six minutes of offense in the first half and were outplayed by the Blazers for most of it.
RRC Rebels head coach Chuck Mrena said the team has to move forward, adding he will be looking for help.
“The plan is to increase our roster total, mend, and carry on,” said Mrena. “We were better defensively this weekend, but it is still a work in progress.”
After opening the season with a win, the Rebels have dropped three straight matches and now sit six points out of a playoff spot with a 1-0-3 record.
Women’s Team Remains Undefeated
The Rebels women’s soccer team defeated the CMU Blazers 2-0 for their third win in a row —the longest active streak in the league.
Shea Bresciani opened the scoring early in the first half and Jessica Da Silva’s second of the season added insurance in the second half.
Head coach Doug Lawrie said he is impressed with his team’s resilience and camaraderie.
“Every player has contributed their absolute all in every minute played,” said Lawrie.
The cold and rainy weather on Sunday did not slow the team down at all.
“Both teams play in it. Our players get that, and just went out and played their game,” said Lawrie.
Lawrie said he wants the team to continue to improve as they push for a playoff spot. He also said he is impressed with the team’s commitment to a defensively responsible game plan, and is now looking to work on generating chances from the wings on cross balls.
“We generated many [crosses] this weekend but lacked the finishing touch in front of the net,” said Lawrie.
The win gives the Rebels 13 points on the season, leaving them just three points back of the USB Les Rouges who sit in first place.
Both RRC Rebels teams play two games this weekend: Saturday, they will face the Assiniboine Community College Cougars in Brandon before squaring off with Université de St. Boniface Les Rouges on Sunday.
