ACAC Women's Soccer Championship Preview
by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips
Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder, Medicine Hat College Rattlers, NAIT Ooks and SAIT Trojans have qualified both their respective men's and women's soccer teams for post-season Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championship finals.
In this the 2017 ACAC Women's Soccer Championship profile, the four schools, along with the Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves and Olds College Broncos, will be kicking away starting this Friday.
Following are thumbnail sketches of each team and quotes from head coaches.
All Games at Normie Kwong Field in Olds, Alberta
Friday, October 27, 2017
Game 1 12:00 PM
Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder vs Medicine Hat College Rattlers
Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder
Head Coach: Franco Imbrogno
2017 Record: 6 wins 4 losses 30 goals for 10 goals against
ACAC Championships: 2
Top Scorers: Jaida Stasiuk 7, Rebecca Leavall 6
"During the last couple of weeks we have ran into a couple of concussions and injuries. It has been a sub-par two weeks heading into the championships but we will be ready to go. They (Medicine Hat) are always a well-organized squad and they have quality players too…it will be a tough task. I like to believe that we are able to move the ball and create opportunities and that could be one of our strengths as well. But we have not been able to put the ball into the net the last week and hope we will do better with that."
Medicine Hat College Rattlers
Head Coach: Travis Hyde
2017 Record: 7 wins 2 losses 1 tie 21 goals for 9 goals against
ACAC Championships: 0
Top Scorers: Jordyn Bell 7, Meagan Clarke 4
"One thing for sure, that we have going for us, is the experience of our senior players and the leadership is good. Plus the experience they bring in (ACAC postseason play) which we will look to build off. Anytime we have matched up against (Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder) it has been a close battle. I am expecting a very competitive match."
N.B. Due to the fact that Hyde is the head coach of both the Rattlers men's and women's soccer team and both are in the ACAC championships on the same weekend, Rattlers' assistant coach Cassandra Westerman will be on the sidelines for the women.
Game 2 2 p.m.
Olds College Broncos vs Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves
Olds College Broncos
Head Coach: Macky Singh
2017 Record: 6 wins 3 losses 1 tie 22 goals for 15 goals against
ACAC Championships: 0
Top Scorers: Rachel Brodie 9, Jamie Flett 7
"We look pretty decent and we are coming off some big results against Lethbridge (3-0 win) this weekend and the confidence is high. There is some advantage (in hosting ACAC Women's Soccer Championships) in that we are playing on a field that we are comfortable with as we train and play on it regularly, so we know what it feels like. And we have the home crowd too. Everyone is healthy and we are looking forward to a couple of days of training sessions to get sharp."
Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves
Head Coach: Chris Morgan
2017 Record: 9 wins 1 loss 35 goals for 8 goals against
ACAC Championships: 0
Top Scorers: Alexi Watson 9, Ashtyn Haycock 8
"To be honest (playing Olds) will be difficult as they are host and they want to do well. We played them last year and beat them 3-2 in the quarter-final and it will be just as difficult this year. Our defence is strong with two fifth-years Shelby Gitzel and Brook Robert. We will have to work hard and keep doing what we are doing and hopefully the results will come our way."
Saturday, October 28, 2016
Game 3 12:00 PM
Winner game 1 vs. NAIT Ooks
NAIT Ooks
Head Coach: Carol Holt
2017 Record: 9 wins 1 loss 45 goals for 3 goals against
ACAC Championships 8
Top Scorers: Kaily Mohn 10, Kassy Jajczay 9
"(As three-time defending ACAC Women's Soccer champion) there is always pressure on us. I am pleased with how the team has responded this year with different situations. We are excited and nervous at the same time going (to Olds) and hopefully it will work out for us. Our focus is just to win the game and we have been fortunate over the years to have players that have been natural goal scorers. This year we have a handful of people that have contributed to the goal scoring. We have a diverse group of players and what we have learned the last couple of weekends, is the ability to flex against opponents and put people in different positions and situations."
Saturday, October 28, 2016
Game 4 2:00 PM
Winner game 2 vs. SAIT Trojans
SAIT Trojans
Head Coach: John Talericotop
2017 Record: 9 wins 1 loss 34 goals for 2 goals against
ACAC Championships 1
Top Scorers: Emily Fedoriak 7, Cassandra Bush 6
"It is a huge advantage having the bye and having that extra day to rest and get some people back from injury. It is critical. We are a total team. That is probably our key in that we all work so well together from the back to the front. Skye Gordon is one of our key competitors on defence, Deanna Kuan on midfield and Emily Fedoriak up front. Whom ever we end up in the final, if we get there, will be tough and we will take it from there."