RDP Queens blank U of A Augustana Vikings at home

Red Deer, AB -  The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens used the strength of a three goal second half to pick up a 5-0 home victory over the hard working University of Alberta Augustana Vikings. 

Defensive play dominated the opening minutes between the two squads.

In the 30th minute, third-year Sofia Quinteros finally broke the stalemate. The Practical Nurse Diploma student beat Vikings third-year goalkeeper Sofia Ovcharenko with a low strike, lifting the Queens ahead 1-0.

Only one minute later, Devon's Payton Erick added the RDP Queens' second marker with a shot from the right. Erick's first goal in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) gave the home team a two goal advantage heading into the break.

The RDP Queens added to their lead in the latter 45 minutes.

From the right side, Lacombe's Anessa Harrod rang a shot off the near post and into the cage, providing the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens a three goal cushion in the 66th minute.

As time was winding down, the Queens added two more goals. Augustana's goalkeeper Ovcharenko couldn't reel in Sylvan Lake's Rylyn Morse high shot and RDP's second-year midfielder Erica Navarro tacked on the Queens' fifth marker.

Paige Kalbfleisch picked up a pair of assists in the Polytechnic's 5-0 home win.

Erica Navarro, a Bachelor of Science Nursing student, was named the North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game. Airdrie's Kadie Johnston received the recognition for the U of A Augustana Vikings.

Queens goalkeeper Abby Kotyk, a Bachelor of Kinesiology student, turned aside one shot. Ovcharenko made 11 saves in the Vikings' net.

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (2-1) will challenge the SAIT Trojans (3-0) in Calgary on Sunday, September 17 at 12 pm.

The University of Alberta Augustana Vikings (1-2) will play the Broncos (0-3) in Olds at the same time.