Rattlers rebound from tough loss to SAIT with decisive win over Broncos

By Ryan McCracken on October 1, 2018.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

The Medicine Hat Rattlers men’s soccer team shook off Saturday’s ugly loss to the SAIT Trojans and forced their way back into the win columnwith a convincing 2-0 victory over the Olds Broncos on Sunday at the Snake Pit.

Albert Woodroofe-Brown broke open a scoreless stalemate in the 46th minute then added some insurance on a 72nd-minute penalty kick to lift the Rattlers to 4-3-1 on the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference season — becoming the first member of his team to score twice this year.

“We’ve struggled with that to be honest,” said Rattlers head coach Ian Tully. “This is our eighth game and before today we had 10 goal scorers and they were all different goal scorers, so for him to put two away, it was nice. It would be nice if we could do that on a more regular basis.”

Rattlers midfielder Matt Wilson — who was held out of Saturday’s loss due to suspension — says Sunday’s bounce-back victory showcased the team’s character while giving them a much-needed boost of confidence heading into next Sunday’s game against the rival Lethbridge Kodiaks (3-3-1).

“Especially after a tough loss from SAIT, it’s nice to bounce back and have a positive look on the next couple of games,” said Wilson, adding the defensive did a great job of controlling the pace of play in the second half while forcing several offside calls on Olds.

“We played really strong. Our captain, Connor Ismond, he’s a very strong player. He definitely kept the guys in line at the back. That just helps going forward.”

Rattlers goalkeeper Joao Vitor Duz Batista withstood a barrage of 13 shots to preserve the clean sheet and lock up the victory, while Olds’ Ryan Murphy stopped three shots in the loss.

“It was a pivotal game for us,” said Tully. “There were good performances all around the field today and very limited subs. I only made one and that was at half time.”

Trojans forward Joseph Lambele helped sink the Rattlers Saturday with a hat trick while Martin Bertolesi and Krishneil Prakash added individual markers.

Colton Pacheco scored the lone goal for the Rattlers.

Medicine Hat’s Devin Simon took the loss after stopping 7-of-12, while SAIT’s Marko Ilich collected the win on two saves.

Women’s squad struggles

The Medicine Hat College Rattlers women’s soccer team dropped a pair of tough losses at home this weekend, 6-0 to the SAIT Trojans and 4-0 to the Olds Broncos.

Hat goalkeeper Kassidy Suberlak did all she could to give her team a chance to win with 12 saves Saturday and six more Sunday, but the Rattlers were unable to hit the back of the net and slipped to 1-6-1 on the ACACseason.

SAIT set the pace 10 minutes into Saturday’s match when Sarah Lepine opened the scoring with her first of the year, then Mataya Blakney and Skye Jordan chipped in to leave Medicine Hat in a 3-0 hole at the half.

Cheyanne Holland scored twice in the second half and Harleen Singh added another to put the game out of reach.

Olds’ Felicia Rodney led the way a hat trick Sunday with goals in the 39th, 51st and 56th minute. Katharina Oeltermann rounded out the scoring on a penalty kick in the 72nd minute.

The Rattlers return to the pitch Sunday to host the Lethbridge Kodiaks (3-3-1) at noon.

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