Huskies topple Rustlers to reach top of table

On a day where they were saluting three of their teammates, the Keyano College Huskies women's soccer team gave each of them a memorable final home regular season game Saturday with a 3-1 win over the Lakeland College Rustlers. 

"Yeah, it was really well done," said head coach Niels Slotboom. "[It was] one of their most complete games I would say from front to back. 

"[I] saw some little mistakes, which will happen in games. Overall, very good, very solid and the score reflects that." 

Before kick-off the team recognized graduating starters Amber Deep and Selena Arima as well as assistant coach Kya Soper, who completed her studies during the pandemic-cancelled 2020-21 academic year. 

The Huskies then went to work with an extra pep in their step, which guided them through a strong start to the match as they pressed deeper into the Rustlers' territory. 

"I think we played good defensively and we kept the ball, maintained possession," said full-back Marissa Mestre, who earned Player of the Game honours. "We were able to shut them down when they got the ball." 

However, the first offensive breakthrough would belong to the visiting side as Makenna Sackmann struck in the 18th minute to provide a challenge to the Huskies squad.

That challenge was answered in the 33rd minute as Deep took control of the ball and fired a screaming shot perfectly over the goalkeeper to equalize the game. 

"This win meant a lot going forward and it puts us in a good position," continued Mestre of the effort by her side. 

Just three minutes later the Huskies struck again to take the lead. A corner kick for the Rustlers was turned away by the Huskies and controlled by Sophie Griffiths, who caught the Rustlers playing up too high for a rare breakaway. 

Her initial opportunity was turned aside, but she followed up the play, gained control of the ball, and sent it into the open net. 

"She was fast, but she needed it to get two chances," said Slotboom of his star winger. "Sophie's been great, got herself in a good position again and she's getting a bit better every single time and that's all that I can ask."

The Huskies rose to the occasion from there, turning back the Rustlers with each chance they got. In the 82nd minute, Natalie Orellana scored her team-leading seventh goal of the season to give the Huskies some extra breathing room over the final few minutes of play. 

Most impressive in the win was the resilience of the Huskies, who gave up the first goal of the game for the first time this season. Battling back as quickly and as thoroughly as they did was something that wasn't lost on Slotboom's watch. 

"It was nice to see that they can," he said. "Every single time we typically get the first goal, which has been different. 

"This time we did not and the response of it was nice to see. We didn't back down, we didn't change anything. We just kept going and it paid off." 

The Huskies now have a date with history Sunday in Edmonton against the NAIT Ooks. A win or a draw against the 3-1-1 Ooks would officially clinch first place in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference's (ACAC) North Division.

Heading into the final two days of the regular season, the Huskies also currently stand tied with the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder for the best goal differential in their division, currently standing at a plus-15. 

Reflecting on the win and looking ahead to Sunday's contest, Slotboom embraced his team realizing their potential at the right time. 

"I knew that we were a good team," he said. "They've been solid all year round. 

"It's nice to see that we can do that as well, but when it comes to our team we are one of the best teams in the league so there's no reason for us not to win these games."

The Huskies hit the road to Edmonton to take on the NAIT Ooks on Sunday, October 10. Kick-off is schedule for 12:00 p.m.