By Matthew Pikl
The Red River College men’s and women’s soccer teams took on the Canadian Mennonite University Saturday, Oct. 12 with very different results.
Rebels men’s team beat by strong CMU second half
The men’s team started off slow but pushed back after The Blazers scored to go up 1-0 in the 13th minute of the game.
Rebel’s striker Eric Harder had the team’s best chance when he got by the defender and broke down the right side.
Harder’s try was targeting the top right corner of the net, but the Blazers goalkeeper made a great save to keep it a 1-0 game.
The push back for the Rebels didn’t last long, and they were down 2-0 at halftime.
The Blazers dominated the second half of the game, scoring 6 more goals.
The rebels weren’t able to get any offense going and managed to put only one shot on net in the second half.
The Rebels played the game with no subs and it had taken its toll on the team in the later stages of the game.
“We just need to recover. Only having 11 players and playing the whole game wears you down.” Said Bailey Mulhall a Rebels first year player. “We need more guys.”
The team still has three more games left in the season to try and make the playoffs.
“We still have a chance if we can win our last three games,” said Rebels head coach
Chuck Mrena.
The team has been plagued by injuries this season and Mrena said he is hoping for a healthy team and a few breaks in their final matches.
Kezia Balzer scores game-winner against former team
RRC’s women’s team defeated the CMU Blazer 1-0 in an exciting 90-minute affair.
Both teams had their fair share of scoring chances, as the action was back and forth for most of the game.
In the 71st minute, Kezia Balzer beat her defender to the ball, broke down the right side and sent the ball over the goaltender’s outstretched hand to give the Rebels a late 1-0 lead.
The Blazers pressed hard and had a terrific try on net in extra time.
Abigail Wilson, the Rebel’s goalie, came out of her net to win the race to the ball to preserve the win.
“We are looking to carry our momentum into the next few games before playoffs,” said Rebels head coach Douglas Lawrie.
The team has now improved their record to 6-1-1 and are in great shape as they get ready for the playoffs.
“We want to focus on continuing to play the style of game we have been playing that has led to the success we have had so far,” Lawrie said.
With two games left in their season, the team has their eyes set on championship weekend.
