Both men’s and women’s soccer teams finish the season in fifth place

BY: Amber Doyle

 

Both Rebels soccer teams finished the season in fifth place, just outside the final four.

 

The season may have come to a “disappointing” end, but “no one ever gave up on playing” said women’s goalkeeper Brittany Derkacz.

#1 Brittany Derkacz stands between the pipes for the Red River College Rebels at the Norm Konowalchuk West Field for the Rebels’ match against the Providence University College Pilots on Oct.14, 2017. / LINDSAY ROWAN

A strong push in October allowed the women’s team to finish the season with a 4-3-3 record. The team posted two wins and two ties in its last four regulation games, but finished one point shy of playoffs.

 

Women’s coach Douglas Lawrie said he figured his team would be competitive, but getting a playoff spot this season would still be a challenge.

 

The team started the season with 16 players and finished with only 13. Players faced issues with injury, eligibility and availability. The roster issues “proved to be a little too much for us to overcome,” said Lawrie. “I couldn’t ask for more from these players.”

 

Meanwhile, the men’s soccer team finished the season with a 2-1-7 record.

 

The team fell short in its last two games of the season, losing to the Brandon University Bobcats 3-0 and the Canadian Mennonite University Blazers 6-1.

 

The team’s captain Alex Castro said his team struggled with injuries, but still fought hard every game.

#8 Alex Castro marks his man for the Red River College Rebels when it took on the Brandon University Bobcats at Norm Konowalchuk West Field on Sept.24, 2017 / LINDSAY ROWAN.

“Even though the season wasn’t what we wanted, there was improvement,” said Castro.

 

Castro was the men’s lone player named to the MCAC Men’s All-Conference Team.

 

“It’s nice to be recognized,” said Castro. “But it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the guys on the field every game backing me up.”

 

For the women’s team, two players, Derkacz and centre-back Alyshia Da Silva, earned themselves spots on the 2017 MCAC Women’s All-Conference Team.

 

“I was extremely surprised,” said Derkacz. “It’s a huge honour to represent Red River.”

 

Derkacz recorded five shutouts and only allowed 6 goals against this season. She was also named Manitoba College Athletic Conference’s Athlete of the Week after allowing one goal in two games on Oct. 14 and 15.

 

The following weekend, Derkacz posted back-to-back shutouts (against the BU Bobcats and CMU Blazers).

 

“Brittany is the top goalkeeper in the Conference and had a stellar year,” said Lawrie. “She was an important part of our leadership group both on and off the field.”

 

On the front end, Rebels striker Emily Carnegie put up six goals over the season to earn herself fourth on the top scorers’ board.

 

The women played their final game of the season on Oct. 22 against the CMU Blazers. The BU Bobcats won the MCAC Final over the Université de Saint-Boniface Les Rouges on Oct. 29 with a score of 2-0.

 

On the men’s side, Providence University College Pilots topped Les Rouges to win the MCAC Final. Both teams in the final went 8-1-1 in the regular season.

 

The Rebels soccer teams will pick up again for another season in Sept. 2018.