WSOC| Kodiaks Fall to the Queens in Overtime
Oct. 17, 2021- The Kodiaks looked to push through the south division semi-finals as they crossed paths with the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens where they battled it out on Kodiaks home turf.
Soon after the first whistle, Kodiaks #5 Ashley Sazalski blasted through the Queen's defense and got around the goalkeeper giving herself a wide-open net, scoring, and giving the Kodiaks the early 1-0 lead. The first half proved to be very physical and scrappy as many fouls were handed out. The Queens struggled to produce any offense in the first half of the game as the majority of the action was on the north side of the field in the Queens defensive zone with the Kodiaks taking any chance they got to try and put this game away early.
Queens #9 Alisha Coules was sure she was going to tie the game back up after a beautiful chance that would have surely gone in if it hadn't been for Kodiaks goalkeeper Kara Kamai making an amazing save to keep the game at 1-0 for the Kodiaks. The Kodiaks were successful in keeping their lead, finishing off the first half.
The Queens were sure they were going to open up the 2nd half of the game with a goal to get the game back with the Kodiaks. Red Deer was given a penalty shot, however; Kodiaks goalkeeper Kara Kamai read the shot perfectly and punched the shot out of the way making an incredible save to keep her team ahead of the Queens.
The 2nd half was chaotic on both sides of the field with plenty of chances for both teams, Red Deer was able to take advantage of one of those chances and getting themselves on the scoreboard, and making the score of the Kodiaks when #16 Jenica Swartz found the back of the net.
After 90 minutes of play, the game was still tied so the Kodiaks and Queens took it into overtime, where the intensity heightened, and the crowd was on the edge of their seats. After 15 minutes of play, the game was still without a winner.
After a long-fought game, the Queens received the ball after a Kodiaks foul which gave the Queens the opportunity to put the game away and that's exactly what they did. The Queens initial shot by #15 Jaden Humphrey hit the post, however; #10 Paige Kalbfleisch was there to pick up the rebound and punt the ball into the back of the Kodiaks net to give them the lead with only a matter of minutes left in the game. Red Deer stayed strong and completed the comeback to beat Lethbridge 2-1.
Players of the Game:
Queens: #10 Paige Kalbfleisch
Kodiaks: GK Kara Kamai