Rustlers Soccer Weekend Recap - October 2

Lakeland fans had a mostly disappointing Saturday afternoon.

For the women pair of early mistakes put the Rustlers on their heels for most of the contest. The home team was looking for a win in a matchup with the Eagles that could have significant playoff implications in November. Early in the game, Aaralyn van der Woude-Stolte scored off of a feed from Aimee Tiemstra, then a few minutes later, a gaff from Rustlers keeper Hayley Fernandez lead to a goal from Demaris Hodges. This put the Eagles up 2-0, which they held to halftime.

In the second, Shallon French replaced Fernandez in between the posts, but that couldn't slow down the Eagles momentum. Two goals from Michaella Freiha and another from Woude-Stolte gave the visitors a massive five-goal lead. This proved insurmountable for Lakeland, despite a late pair from Sloane Cannan.

Lindsay Slusar and Lexa Steenhoff were the Rustlers and Eagles POG's. This drops Lakeland three points back of NAIT for fourth in the North Division.

Momentum can change quickly on a soccer pitch and that was certainly the case on Saturday at VLA Fields in the men's game.

The Rustlers were looking to get another victory at home against an Edmonton rival, this time with an Eagles squad desperately looking for wins. After most of the half was controlled, the Eagles broke through, thanks to a goal from Gabriel Galdez, assisted by Noah Leggo. The visitors took this lead into the half.

In the second, Lakeland pressed until sub Gio Ciccacci converted a pass from Yassin Hassen at the 53 minute mark. Then Brennan Liebshcer challenged King's keeper Tosh hartley, blocking the play his play on the ball back into the opposition net to put the Rustlers in front.

However, the Eagles weren't finished. After steady pressure and missed chances by both sides, Dorian Jacobs scored off another pass from Leggo. Lakeland had one more chance in the dying minutes, but that was all.

Leggo and Nic Durand were the Players of the Game for the Eagles and Rustlers respectively.

Next for the soccer squads is a pair of home games against the Keyano Huskies this weekend, whose teams are among the best in the ACAC.