Rustler Teams Go 11 and 0 in ACAC Competition over the Weekend
Things are heating up for Rustler Nation!
Rustlers Soccer
The latest successful week started with the announcement of the All-Conference teams for ACAC Soccer. Striker Gracey Smithson of the women's team and midfielder Gavin Quinlan and striker Josh Malin of the men's team were each named to the North Division squad.
Smithson had the single best offensive campaign in the history of women's soccer at Lakeland College. Starting in 11 games, she scored a program record 13 goals, including three game winners, with a shooting percentage of .542 and a pair of assists, finishing sixth in the league in scoring. Quinlan, a longstanding anchor in the back half of the field for the men, had another spectacular two-way season, helping them to their best finish in years. Malin ended his season with 5 goals and 2 assists in two games, finishing second in league scoring with 10 goals and 4 assists and earning CCAA Athlete of the Week honours.
Rustlers Hockey
The women's hockey team was on the road in Calgary, facing the SAIT Trojans for three straight games. After winning 2-0 and 5-2, the Rustlers found themselves trailing 1-0 and went on to play two overtimes after tying the game, outshooting the Trojans 61-17. Hailey Carothers scored her third goal of the weekend in OT to seal the three-game sweep and extend the Rustlers undefeated streak to seven games.
Rustlers Volleyball
Volleyball held their home opener Friday evening against the Augustana Vikings, two teams aiming to have an impact in the North Division playoff. The women, continuing the momentum of last year's back-to-back national title, swept the Vikings 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-19), before another sweep (25-21, 25-20, 25-20) in Camrose the following night. Lana Matthews was big offensively for the Rustlers, posting 21 kills, 3 aces and 2 blocks over the weekend and took home POG honours Friday.
The men took an extra set, but were also victorious on Friday (25-22, 24-26, 25-14, 25-17), before sweeping the Vikings in Camrose on Saturday (25-21, 25-15, 25-16). Brock Tomyn led the Rustlers offensively with 23 kills, 4 aces and a block in the two matches, while Friday night POG Gabriel Bjorkas added 20 kills.
Rustlers Basketball
Men's and women's basketball were also in league play for the first time this weekend, starting with road wins in Camrose on Friday, 80-45 for the women, and 96-75 for the men. Missy Nuku started her sophomore season with 20 points and five assists, while three of her teammates finished in double figures. Matthew Bryant had 19 points and 5 rebounds off the bench for the men, while Coach Sheray Thomas picked up his 100 victory as Rustlers head coach!
In Saturday night's home opener, the festivities began with a special presentation of the 2024 championship rings, with most of last year's team in attendance. The women followed that up with an 86-40 victory over the Vikings. Andria Stitt led all scorers with 20 points, while Alana Olson was named POG.
The men also secured a blowout victory 96-63. POG Sam Bergen and Chance Samuel each had 21 points.
What's Coming Up
Volleyball heads out for a road trip Nov. 1-2, stopping in Red Deer and Olds, while women's hockey will have a road and home tilt against the NAIT Ooks, the other undefeated squad in the ACAC. This Friday, basketball will host Red Deer Polytechnic in our annual Halloween Costume Night, with prizes available for youth and adults. Then, Saturday night's basketball games against Olds College will be part of Make Some Noise for Mental Health, the ACAC annual campaign, wrapping up events from throughout the week.