RDP Kings Soccer team doubles-up Rattlers at home

Red Deer, AB - Three of Red Deer Polytechnic's first-year student-athletes played integral roles in the Kings Soccer team's four goal offensive output Saturday afternoon against the visiting Medicine Hat College Rattlers.

First-year student-athletes Cristobal Lisboa Tapia, Jaeden Swartz and Grant Johnson found the scoresheet and veteran Turner Johnson added a goal as the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings downed the Rattlers 4-2.

Tapia struck in the sixth minute, giving the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings a 1-0 lead. Red Deer's Grant Johnson sent the ball out in front where Tapia, a first-year striker, was well-positioned to redirect it past Rattlers goalkeeper Maksymilian Slaweta.

Six minutes later, Turner Johnson provided the Kings with a two goal edge. Johnson, a six-foot-three defender from Red Deer, headed the ball into the back of the net. Then Lacombe's Jaeden Swartz tacked on the Kings' third goal in the 23rd minute.

Before the end of the half, the Rattlers reduced that gap to a pair of goals. In the 42nd minute, first-year Felix Danquath converted a penalty kick low to Kings goalkeeper Jared St Thomas' right.

The two squads traded goals in the second half.

Grant Johnson pushed the Kings ahead 4-1 in the 55th minute. Ross Wilder, who took over in the Rattlers' net, charged out of his net but Johnson's quickness helped him to manoeuvre around the second-year goalkeeper and deposit the ball into the open cage.

Then Medicine Hat's Brayden Roman reduced the Kings' lead in the 86th minute.

Captain Ajdin Sarcevic earned the North Star Sports Kings Player of the Game award, contributing a pair of assists in a well-rounded game. Sloan Dykema received the honour for the Rattlers.

The second place Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (2-1-0) will play the third seed Lethbridge College Kodiaks (1-1-2) at home on Sunday, September 25 at 2 pm.

The Medicine Hat College Rattlers (0-2-2) will host the Lethbridge College Kodiaks (1-1-2) on Friday, September 30 at 4 pm.