MSOC Recap | October 13 & 14, 2018
The Lakeland Rustlers Men's Soccer team returned to their home field for the last time this past weekend, playing host to the Olds College Broncos and SAIT Trojans.
The Rustlers took on the Broncos, on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon. The Rustlers would make an early mistake that hurt them, giving the Broncos a free kick. The Broncos were able to capitalize on the Rustlers mistake and take a 1-0 lead after just three minutes of play. Both goalkeepers played well for their teams early on, making some big saves, until Broncos goalkeeper Ryan Murphy left the game with a lower leg injury. The Rustlers held the Broncos scoreless for the remainder of the half, after the early goal, and trailed 1-0 after the half.
In the second half, it was the Broncos who would make mistakes that the Rustlers were able to take advantage of. A Broncos error gave the Rustlers Mackenzie Longpre a penalty kick in the 53rd minute that Longpre got past the Broncos goalkeeper to tie the score at one. Just minutes later, Rustlers Josh Hatzenbuuhler would score, giving Lakeland the 2-1 lead. Hatzenbuuhler had been the Rustlers second goalkeeper heading into the season, but injuries and other circumstances required the Rustlers to move him out onto the front line. The 5'11" second year had the biggest celebration of the season for the Rustlers, and his goal gave them the lead. The Broncos had scoring opportunities in the second half, but Rustlers goalkeeper Zach Wagner came up with some big saves for his team, helping them secure the 2-1 win.
Player of the Game for the Rustlers was #34, Josh Hatzenbuuhler.
After the Rustlers win on Saturday, the sun was out Sunday as the Rustlers faced the SAIT Trojans. Both teams had good scoring opportunities early in the game, but it was the Rustlers who would open the scoring with a goal by Longpre in the 22nd minute. The Rustlers lead wouldn't last long, with the Trojans tying the score at one in the 25th minute. The Trojans controlled the ball for much of the first half, but the Rustlers did enough defensively to keep the ball out of their net, with Wagner again making some big saves for his team. At the half, the Rustlers and Trojans remained tied at 1.
The Trojans once again took control of the ball early on in the second half, and the Rustlers found themselves on the defensive. The Trojans control of the ball gave the numerous shots on goal and scored in the 64th minute to take the 2-1 lead. As the game went on, the intensity and physicality of play increased, with the Rustlers fighting to tie the score. 3rd-year fullback Troy Trench had the best scoring chance of the second half for the Rustlers, but the shot was just high, giving the Trojans the 2-1 win.
Player of the Game for the Rustlers was #26, Duncan McNaughton.
The final weekend of the ACAC Soccer season has the Rustlers on the road to take on the Medicine Hat Rattlers (4-5-1) and Lethbridge Kodiaks (6-3-1). The Rustlers sit in 6th place in the ACAC South Division with a record of 1-6-3.