Rattlers take a bite out of Broncos
Medicine Hat did its damage in the first half, handing the Broncos a season-opening loss.
Olds College Sports Information
September 8, 2018
OLDS, Alta. - For the Olds College Broncos men's soccer team, it wasn't the way they drew up the season starting.
The Medicine Hat College Rattlers used a strong first half to take a 2-0 victory at Richardson Pioneer Field on Saturday in the season opener for both sides.
Alosious Kun and Connor Ismond scored for Medicine Hat (1-0-0), while Joao Vitor Duz Batista stopped the only shot on goal he faced to pick up the clean sheet.
For the Broncos, Ryan Murphy (Edmonton, Alta.) stopped three shots on goal.
Communication will be key going forward, said second-year Bronco Brendan Klassen (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.)
"For the most part, we weren't playing our game," he said. "We weren't executing, we were pushing a little bit too much… We weren't letting the ball do the work."
Kun opened the scoring in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a loose ball just outside the six-yard box to beat Murphy on the far side to give the Rattlers a 1-0 lead.
Medicine Hat consolidated its lead 12 minutes later, following a free kick from Yolman Sanchez Guevara. Murphy got his hands on it to make the initial stop, but Ismond tapped in the rebound to round out the scoring.
Batista was solid when the Rattlers needed him to be, helping Medicine Hat complete the clean sheet.
It was a slightly chippy affair from both sides, as each played the other tight, resulting in a combined four yellow cards.
Landon Murphy (Cochrane, Alta.) was The Pit Broncos Player of the Game, while Medicine Hat veteran Matt Wilson earned the honour for the Rattlers.
Olds will try and split the weekend at home tomorrow as they battle the Lethbridge College Kodiaks at 4 p.m., while Medicine Hat will look for a perfect weekend as they face the SAIT Trojans at 2 p.m.
Klassen can see adjustments to the team's game plan going forward.
"I think we need to spread the ball and use our wings," he said. "If we use those wings, we'll have a lot more time on the ball, and we can play into those pockets and get those runs we want."