Rustlers Soccer Weekend Recap - October 16

Lakeland's soccer squads started the weekend on a sour note, but ended it on a high one.

The women's team was shut out 4-0 by the Concordia Thunder on Saturday, a team that remains amongst the best in the ACAC. On Sunday, the Rustlers hosted Portage on Sunday and took some time to find their offence against the visiting Voyageurs. An injury to keeper Gaelyn Verdin shortened an already depleted bench for Portage and Lakeland, after narrowly missing a penalty kick, eventually capitalizing on a strike by Sloane Cannan.

In the second half, the Rustlers poured on the offence, peppering replacement keeper Ashley Tweedy throughout the period and scoring four more times, two from Mia Agioritis.

"We played well today and had a fitting result," Head Coach Wendy Wagner said. "With a win against King's we can end up ahead of them in the standings.  That's our goal.

Hailee George was POG for the Voyageurs, while Sarah Mandeville was named for the Rustlers.

Following a disappointing 2-1 loss to Concordia, the men's team found their form again at home. Coach Kevin Wagner spoke to the execution over the weekend, saying that any team can win if their opponent isn't as focused.

"Winning isn't easy and nothing worth having is given for free."

The squad needed a win against Portage to keep the possibility of second place in the North Division alive. In a mostly defensive first half, Giordano Ciccacci scored on a penalty to put his team in front.

Lakeland applied plenty of pressure in the second, while the Voyageurs had a few close calls at the other end, including a spectacular save from Nic Filipovic. Ciccacci added another goal to keep the Rustlers in front 2-0.

The goal scorer was Lakeland's POG, with Born Goolie getting the nod for Portage.

The Rustlers now go to play King's on Saturday. For the women, it's their season finale, for the men, Kevin Wagner had this to say.

"Simple , we need to win or tie to get into soccer provincials."