Rustlers tie final home game

A loss would have been devastating, but a draw also complicates the playoff picture for Rustlers men's soccer.

Lakeland hosted the NAIT Ooks for the squad's final regular season game of the year. It was a tense affair, with both teams playing very tight defensively in the opening 20 minutes, given that first place in the North was on the line. The Ooks started to dominant possessions, but were unable to break the tie by half.

In the second, Lakeland turned that pressure around and started to get opening for chances, but couldn't convert. NAIT had their own looks, but keeper Nic Filipovic made several big saves. When time expired, neighter team could crack the scoresheet, aside form multiple yellow cards.

Alejandro Estrada was Player of the Game for Lakeland, while Victor Jara got the nod for NAIT.

Because of the tie, NAIT remains one point ahead of the Rustlers and hold the tiebreaker. This means that the final road trip of the season, agains the Keyano Huskies in Fort McMurray, will have serious implications on the standings, with the huskies and the King's Eagles right behind the RUstlers.

The upcoming road games take place this Saturday and Sunday.