Rattlers Recap Oct 14-15
Women's Soccer Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive
The Rattlers women's soccer team needed the full 3 points against the University of Alberta Augustana- Vikings on Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive and did just that coming away with a 1-0 win. It did not come without some tense moments as the team combined to miss three penalty kicks over the 90 minutes. The ladies controlled most of the game outshooting the Vikings 26-2 including 15-0 in the 1st half. The breakthrough came from Keandra Leslie (1st year, Kingston, JAM, UT Science) in the 64th minute a she got behind the defense and the keeper after a miscommunication by the Vikings and slotted it into the open net. Abby Lalach (1st year, Cranbrook, B.C., Education) recorded her first ACAC shutout of her career making two stops in the victory. The women now face big challenges this upcoming weekend as they host SAIT (10-1) Saturday at 12:00pm and then travel to Lethbridge (9-1) on Sunday with kickoff scheduled for 12:00pm. The women need to get all 6 points and get some help to get into playoffs.
Women's Hockey gets First Goals of the Year; Fall to Broncos
The women's hockey team got on the board for the first time in program history on Saturday as Brynn Kuntz (1st year, Estevan, SK, Nursing) scored the first goal in program history. That would be as close as we got as the girls fell 6-1 in Olds. Jacey Farr (1st year, Estevan, SK, Education) got the lone assist on the goal and Kinlee Fahselt (1st year, Medicine Hat, AB, UT Psychology) stopped 35 of 41 saves in the loss. The second game on back-to-back days was also controlled by the Broncos as they skated away with another 6-1 win. Hayley Whelen (1st year, Medicine Hat, AB, General Studies) made 26 saves in the loss and Shelby Lee (1st year, Birtle, MB, OTA/PTA) got the lone goal for the Rattlers. The team will be looking to rebound this upcoming weekend as they go away again to NAIT for two games against the Ooks over the weekend.
Basketball Swept by Lions
The Basketball teams opened their season against the Ambrose Lions on Saturday evening in front of an at capacity Snake Pit. The women were up first to tangle with the Lions but ultimately fell 65-38. The team was led by Breanna O'Connor (2nd year, Wetaskiwin, AB, Education) who had 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals in the loss. Jaida Gold (1st year, Medicine Hat, AB, chipped in with 8 points as well. Even thought the team lost the 2nd half provided a glimpse into what the team is capable as they won the second half by 1.
As for the men they welcomed the Lions into the Snake Pit looking to get off on the right track this season. Ambrose would come out on the front foot taking a 6 point lead after the first quarter but would be outscored 30-16 in the 2nd quarter as the Rattlers took an 8 point lead into the half. The 2nd half would be controlled by the Lions as they outscored us by 15 and took the win by a score of 90-83. Fred Kabore (4th year, Medicine Hat, AB, Criminal Justice) lead all Rattlers in scoring with 18 points and 4 rebounds off the bench. Junior Luyeye (2nd year, Toronto, ON, General Studies) pitched in with 17 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals.
The teams will look to rebound against St. Mary's on Friday at home before travelling to Calgary for a rematch on Sunday.
Cross-Country Battles Injuries at Stewart Cup
Courtesy: Bill Corcoran (Cross-Country Coach)
With team captains Pyper Gill and Jaiden Romanuik out with injuries, a depleted MHC cross country running squad ran to middle-of-the pack finishes at ACAC #4 – The Stewart Cup in Camrose on Saturday.
As she has done all season, Becky Ross led the Rattlers with a second-place finish in the women's 6 km event. Ross finished two minutes behind two-time defending CCAA cross country champion Makenna Fitzgerald from SAIT, who was running her first race of the season.
Other Rattler women taking part in the race included Maddy Scrimger (4th), Mizuki Iwata (24th), Kabri Stickel (32nd), and Annika Marhall (34th). Collectively, the MHC women placed fifth.
In the men's 8 km race, Shintaro Iwata was the top Rattler running, placing 22nd. Tristan Scrimger (27th), Justin Jager (33rd), Spencer Wilson (34th), Gage Smith (36th), and Jon McKinley (45th) were the other MHC finishers. The men were 6th in the team standings.
Next up for Rattlers running is the ACAC Championships in Lethbridge on Saturday, October 28.
Men's Volleyball Sunk by Avalanche
The Men's Volleyball team was in Cranbrook, B.C., for a pair of exhibition games against the College of the Rockies Avalanche. On Friday night the men dropped the match 3-1 (19-25, 21-25, 25-19, 11-25) and again on Saturday 3-1 (19-25, 27-25, 23-25, 23-25). The team will take to the court for real Oct 27-28 in Briercrest followed by their home opener on November 3rd against the Keyano Huskies.