Rattlers soccer looking to build off split weekend

By James Tubb on September 14, 2022.

The Medicine Hat College Rattlers soccer teams got their seasons underway last weekend.

The Rattlers men’s and women’s teams hit the road and faced the Lethbridge Kodiaks to kick off their Alberta Colleges athletic conference soccer seasons.

The men’s team picked up two points against the Kodiaks with a 2-2 tie while the women’s team lost 8-0.

Head coach Sam Heap said the men’s team executed what they were trying to accomplish and the women’s team had a game to forget but learn from.

“We felt a little hard done by not getting all three points but I think it’s a good benchmark for what we want to do for the rest of the season in terms of what we want to be known as and our identity. It was a pleasing performance and it showed a lot of progress over the past month and it shows the right mentality that boys put into the game,” Heap said. “It was more of an eye opener for the girls. It’s not a doom and gloom kind of thing by any means. I think we understand the levels we’re at in the female program. It’s just a case of putting that one to the back burner, take the lessons from it and start again.”

Arlind Musliu and Mizuki Ozawa scored for the men’s Rattlers team with Pilani Siwella assisting on both goals. Allyssa Heidel made 22 saves in net for the women’s team.

The Rattlers don’t have long to sit as they are back in action this weekend for their home opener Saturday. They host the SAIT Trojans at Medicine Hat College on Saturday before welcoming the Olds College Broncos on Sunday.

Heap said they are obviously looking forward to the home opener and bringing Medicine Hat soccer fans to the pitch.

“We’ve got the booster club coming out from the college, they’re putting a few different activities on during the course of the day as well, so it’s just going to give everyone opportunity to come and watch some Rattlers soccer again,” Heap said. “On the men’s side, if they put the right foot forward they can get a positive result. On the female side, we have to last week behind us and and try to start fresh, stick together and see if we can make a positive result on that side.”

The Rattlers key sponsor, Cheerleaders Barber Lounge, will be in attendance and is giving out free haircuts and coupons at Saturday’s home opener. Supplement King will also be in attendance and will be giving out some swag.

Heap said he is hoping to see some junior and Medicine Hat Soccer Association players in attendance cheering on their local team.

“If we get a few plays come down, get a vibe going about both soccer and Medicine Hat again at the college, we can try and build from that in all streams, whether it’s college or whether it’s the junior ranks,” Heap said.

The women’s game both Saturday and Sunday gets underway at Noon with the men’s game following at 2 p.m. at the College.

Rattler golf tees off

The MHC Rattlers golf team got their ACAA season started last weekend with the North Regional tournament hosted by Portage College.

Both the Rattlers men’s and women’s teams finished in second place with SAIT winning both divisions.

Rattlers golfer Chase Broderson won the men’s individual shooting nine over par (79,74). Colby Friedrich finished tied for third (84,75), Jayden Dudas in eighth (87,81), Brady DeJoice in 13th (92,92) and Jaeger Friesen finished in 18th (119,106).

In the women’s individual division, Rattler Libby Bourassa finished in third place (100,95). Jaci Bertram finished in seventh (109,108).