WSOC | Kodiaks Take Command in Win Over Rustlers
Recap provided by Lethbridge College Kodiaks sports information.
Sept 10, 2017 – In their second game of the 2017-18 season, the Kodiaks welcomed the Lakeland College Rustlers to the Servus Soccer Centre outdoor field on Sunday.
After earning a draw in their season opener against Red Deer the day before, the Kodiaks were looking to secure a four-point weekend. Injected with confidence from the day before, the Kodiaks had a break out offensive game, led by a two-goal effort from veteran forward Vicki Noronha.
Noronha scored the first goal of the game at 15' with a shot from 25 yards out that hit the crossbar and in. There was a moment's hesitation as to whether or not the ball crossed the line, but after a tense moment of review the referees deemed it a good goal.
Lakeland responded positively and pressured the Kodiaks immediately afterward, but Kodiaks goalkeeper Brittany Klein was once again solid in fending off the Rustlers attack, finishing with 3 saves in the half.
Once play resumed in the second half, it didn't take Noronha long to hit the scoresheet again.
Noronha broke free in front and scored her second goal of the game at the 46' mark to extend the Kodiaks lead to 2-nil. From there the Kodiaks hunkered down and played good defensive soccer. The Rustlers managed to get off just two shots in the second half, compared to eight shots in the first half.
For added insurance, Brooklin Bellevance put home a beautiful distance shot over Rustlers keeper Danielle Blacklock to extend the Kodiaks lead to 3-0 at the 76th minute, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Beaming after the game, Kodiaks head coach Sean Carey was filled with pride over his girl's performance over the weekend.
"I'm so proud of those girls. As a coaching staff, we can't express how happy we are they got rewarded this weekend" exclaimed Carey post-game. "They have so much character and are having a lot of fun with this, they were the hardest working team and took chances today, and made the most of those chances."
Carey was also happy to see Noronha get rewarded with a two-goal effort, and says that she has been a tremendous influence on the team's younger players throughout training camp.
"Vicki played awesome. She always does" said Carey. "With her work ethic, she really sets the example for a lot of the younger girls out there. Good for her to finish those two chances, and she deserved that too. She's worked hard the last four weeks of training."
The Kodiaks, who only gained six points all of last season, picked up four in one weekend while improving to 1-1-0 on the season. The Rustlers fell to 0-0-2.
Next up for Lethbridge is a road test against rival Medicine Hat on Saturday, followed by a trip to Calgary to take on SAIT on Sunday.
Players of the Game:
Kodiaks – #14 Vicki Noronha
Rustlers – #13 Rachel Fogh