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Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference "To be Canada's premiere collegiate athletic conference by developing and inspiring leadership through excellence in academics, sport and citizenship"
Posted: Mar 08, 2025

Host Rustlers Hold Top-Ranked Ooks to a 1-1 Draw

Host Rustlers Hold Top-Ranked Ooks to a 1-1 Draw
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Lloydminster, AB - In a high-intensity matchup, the Lakeland College Rustlers battled the NAIT Ooks in a low-scoring but exciting affair. With NAIT ranked #1 in the North and Lakeland sitting at #3 in the North, both teams came in determined to make a statement.

The game started at a fast pace, with both sides creating early opportunities. Leah Rioux came inches away from opening the scoring, firing a shot off the post with 19 minutes left in the first half. Defensively, the Rustlers stood tall, highlighted by a crucial block from Madeline Russett at the 14-minute mark.

Shortly after, a foul on NAIT gave Gracey Smithson a free-kick opportunity, but the Ooks' defense held strong. Rioux continued to be a threat for Lakeland, narrowly missing another chance with six minutes left in the half.

The breakthrough finally came at the 5:00 mark when Darian Pluhator fired a powerful shot from the left side, slipping the ball through the goalkeeper's legs to put the Rustlers up 1-0. The home crowd erupted as Lakeland took a crucial lead. Goalkeeper Elizabeth McLeod made a big save at 4:15, preserving the lead heading into halftime.

The second half maintained the same intensity, with both teams pushing hard. NAIT came close early, narrowly missing the target on a shot just behind the net. With 13 minutes left, the Rustlers continued to hold their 1-0 advantage, showing strong defensive discipline. Megan Hockley was particularly impressive, playing a solid all-around game.

As the clock wound down, the Ooks ramped up the pressure. A foul on Lakeland at 11:04 gave NAIT an opportunity, but the Rustlers' defense held firm. With 3:39 remaining, NAIT called a timeout and made a bold move—switching goalkeepers in an attempt to gain momentum.

That strategy paid off when NAIT's Player of the Year Jyla Erandio found the back of the net with just 1:30 left in the game, tying it up 1-1. In response, Lakeland immediately called a timeout, regrouping for the final push. Coming out of the timeout, NAIT switched back to their original goalkeeper, setting up a tense final minute.

Despite a few last-second efforts, neither team could break the tie. As the final whistle blew, the 1-1 draw secured second place for the Rustlers in the round robin and top spot for the Ooks.

The Lakeland Rustlers and NAIT Ooks battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw, with both teams showcasing their skill and determination. Megan Hockley was a standout for the Rustlers, being awarded player of the game for creating opportunities on offense while delivering a strong defensive performance. For NAIT, Erandio received the nod.