Lakeland Rustlers Weekend Recap - Sept 25, 2023

Rustlers Athletics had a jam packed weekend, with several teams garnering significant victories.

Both volleyball programs hosted their annual home tournament, which saw hundreds of fans come out to the Lakeland gymnasium over four days. The women's team split into two squads, with both going undefeated, while the men went 3-4.

Women's basketball was on the road in Saskatchewan to test themselves against both University programs in the province. After a blowout loss to the Saskatchewan Huskies, the Rustlers pulled off the upset against the Regina Cougars, winning 69-65.

The hockey team also lost to the University of Saskatchewan, along with a close defeat against Saskatchewan 18U provincial team.

However, the most significant result was a full sweep in favour of the Rustlers soccer squads.

The women came into the weekend needing two victories to have any chance of playoff contention and started with a 2-0 home win against the King's Eagles. That afternoon the Rustlers scored their first goal of the season, courtesy of Leah Rioux. Megan Hockley was named Player of Game for assisting both goals, while Hayley Fernandes got the shutout.

On Sunday afternoon, the women followed their first win with another in Lac La Biche, a 3-0 shutout. Kayla Mondue and Sydney Blechinger each had multi-point outings. This improves their record to 2-2-1, good for fourth in the division.

The men had a tough task against the Eagles after having lost to them the previous week, but an early goal from POG Hani Tekheste put them in the lead for the rest of the game, a tense 3-1 affair. 

While the following afternoon against the Voyageurs wasn't as pretty, the Rustlers were able to hold on and win 3-2 over Portage off of Nate Tran scoring his second of the game in the final 10 minutes. Hani Tekheste also had a multi-point outing as the team improved to 4-2-0 on the year.

This coming week, men's and women's basketball host the RDP Kings and Queens Friday evening and Saturday afternoon in exhibition play. Game time Friday night for the women is 6:00 PM.

Women's volleyball are on the road to Saskatoon, where they will face the University of Saskatchewan in two matches.

And Lakeland's soccer squads host the NWP Wolves at VLA Fields. Game time is 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.