Rattlers Snakebit against Red Deer
The Medicine Hat College Rattlers Kicked off their season at home, taking on the Red Deer College Queens. The match got started amidst a sideline spectacle put on for the hometown fans. A Drumline assisted a Local artist in a great rendition of O Canada. The Game started with the Queens applying pressure on the Rattlers early. Although the majority of the play was in the Rattlers end, they generated the first quality scoring chance of the day. Former Volleyball player Mckenzie Griffith ripped a shot from the top of the 18 yard box and found iron, ringing it off the crossbar. The Queens responded with a few through balls and long runs getting past the Rattlers defensive line. The Rattlers Keeper Amanda Overing stood out early, making 3 spectacular saves in the first 15 minutes. At exactly 17 minutes into the game Potential disaster struck. Queens forward Bailey Richarde Ran over the Rattlers Goaltender as she was playing the ball. After taking a minute she was able to stay in the game. The Rattlers seemed to wake up a bit after this, taking the play to Red Deer's end of the field. As the game settled in to the middle of the half, the game started to even out, with more play happening in the midfield. Both teams traded opportunities but the home side seemed to have a few more quality scoring chances. The best of which came off a free kick from 30 yards out. A great strike from Shelby Bach was tough for the Red Deer Keeper to handle. This created a scramble out front, but Red deer was able to clear the ball and maintain the scoreless tie. This continued into half and the teams remained deadlocked at 0.
The second Half started much like the first, with the Queens taking control early. they were easily able to convert this pressure scoring in the 51st minute from forward Alisha Coules. The Rattlers came right back with a great opportunity, unfortunately offside. The teams settled in again as both teams were keeping the pace up and pressing. The Queens broke through again with a second marker from Alisha Coules taking a 2-0 lead with only 20 minutes left to play. Both teams continued to push with Rattlers Dual athlete Grace Porter unable to convert 2 golden opportunities. Red Deer again took advantage and was able to extend their lead to 3 off a hat trick goal from Coules. The Queens Struck again fast and extended again to 4 off the foot of Mikayla Fujimoto. The Rattlers Goalie Overing, did not have the same spunk as she did in the first half. Possibly from the collision earlier in the game. The Red Deer side had a more organized attack and were able to control most of the possession. The only Black mark on the Queens was a late injury with almost no time on the clock. The Queens ran out the time and were able to take a 4-0 victory against the host Rattlers.
Both Teams battled hard and struggled at the end of the game from the Southern Alberta Heat. The exhaustion was evident at the end of the game and both teams looked relieved to hear the final whistle.
The ACAC Players of the Game were Alisha Coules for RDC and Jadyn Fode for the Rattlers.