WSOC: Red Deer earns ACAC gold in 1-nil win over Concordia
October 30, 2022- The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens are heading to nationals after a 1-nil win over the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder in Sunday's gold medal match at the 2022 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women's Soccer Championships in Raymond, Alta. A goal in the 64th minute by striker Alisha Coules (fourth year, Bachelor of Science – Nursing, Stettler, Alta.) stood as the game-winner.
"They played with hearts, they wanted to win today," says Queens head coach Mahziar Peyrow. "They put everything on the line, and it worked out for them. We were able to perform, and we were able to take that golden."
The Queens and Thunder are familiar foes on ACAC Championship Sunday – the two faced off in the 2021 bronze medal match last October in Red Deer, Alta. That contest also proved to be a close matchup, with the hometown team edging past Concordia 1-nil thanks to a late game goal.
On Sunday afternoon in Raymond, the two teams battled not only each other but the fierce southern Alberta wind which hung up more than a few balls over the course of the gold medal match. The first half saw break-out chances at both ends but stellar goaltending kept the game scoreless over the first 45 minutes.
Coules broke the intense deadlock 19 minutes into the second half by tapping a shot between the legs of Concordia keeper Monica Dickson (fourth year, Bachelor of Education, Edmonton, Alta.) who was out to challenge.
A three-player collision in the net just minutes later resulted in a goaltender substitution for the Thunder, with Maddison Kempster (first year, Bachelor of Arts, Edmonton, Alta.) subbing in for the injured Dickson.
Red Deer continued to apply pressure for the majority of the second half and despite several skilled saves by Kempster to keep Concordia in the game, the Thunder couldn't muster a comeback and the 1-nil score stood after full time.
Queens defensive midfielder, Sofia Quinteros (second year, Bachelor of Science – Psychology, Edmonton, Alta.) received a Player of the Game nod for her efforts as well as all-tournament team honours.
"I did not expect this to happen," says Quinteros. "I'm just so proud of everyone."
Concordia striker Elizabeth Crothers (fourth year, Bachelor of Education, St. Albert, Alta.) was named Player of the Game for the Thunder.
The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens will represent Alberta at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Women's Soccer Championship Nov. 9 to 12 in Saint-Lambert, QC at Champlain Saint-Lambert.
The 2022 ACAC Soccer Championships, presented by the Southern Alberta Homes Team at Royal Lepage South Country, have been hosted by Lethbridge College at Comet Stadium in Raymond, Alta. All tournament information can be found online. Additional photos from this game can be found on the Lethbridge College Kodiaks Flickr page.