Lakeland Rustlers Weekend Recap - Nov 27, 2023

Rustlers Athletics had the busiest weekend of the season thus far and the result was a largely winning one on the ice and on the court.

The basketball teams had their last home game of the fall on Friday evening, where they hosted the NAIT Ooks. Both games were blowout wins for the home side, with scores of 65-41 for the women and 91-65 for the men. It was Community Basketball Night in Lloydminster, drawing more than 350 fans. Alana Olson had 9 points, 3 steals, 3 assists and 4 rebounds to win POG, the men's POG, Jordan Simpson, had 9 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists.

The following evening in Edmonton, the women continued their winning with a score of 79-56. Susan Ayaa had 19 points off the bench. However, the men had their first loss in over a month, 70-76 the score. Andre McFadden had 22 off the bench in the loss. Women's basketball remain undefeated on the year, while the men sit 8-3, good for second in the North Division.

The Fall Regional for ACAC Curling took place in Lloydminster Friday to Sunday, at the Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre. Lakeland's men's, women's and mixed squads all took part in playing multiple times over the three days.

Mixed had the best result, going 4-2 in six games, a good start for the defending ACAC champions. A new look men's team went 2-3, while the women's team went 2-4. Their next competition is January 19-21 in Edmonton.

Our volleyball teams hosted the Augustana Vikings in the final home event at the Lakeland Gym in 2023. As a Christmas kickoff, the evening drew even more fans than Community Basketball Night. The women's match was competitive in the opening five minutes, before the defending national champions asserted themselves and won 25-17, 25-20, 25-17. Seanna Trumier was the POG, posting 8 kills and no errors, along with 9 digs.

The men's match was more eventful, with a winless Vikings team playing their best match of the season, but the Rustlers were victorious in four sets. Scores were 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, 25-16. Declan Mercer was named POG, showcasing steady paly at the net, along with 3 kills, 3 blocks and 4 digs.

Finally, the women's hockey team had their final home game to end their first half, facing the Ooks. Alyssa Shaw scored halfway through the opening frame to put the Rustlers in front, a lead that stayed till early in the third period when NAIT tied the score. Then, a Claudia Lammers powerplay tally just over 10 minutes later proved the game winner.

Mackenzie Dojahn was spectacular between the pipes, stopping 53 of 54 shots. This improves the squad to 10-3, tying the Ooks for second in the league.

While the rest of the Rustlers squads are focused on practice and exams, both volleyball teams have one last road match to go, this Friday evening in a rematch with the Vikings. Start time is 6PM in Camrose.