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MERIDIAN SOURCE
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Rustlers soccer wraps year as ACAC award winners Pluhator and Hockley selected for women’s soccer awards
File Photo LAKELAND COLLEGE SPECIAL TO THE SOURCE
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The Lakeland College Rustlers women’s soccer improved their record from last year, along with their total of all-star selections. Darian Pluhator was named Alberta Col-
leges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women’s Soccer North Division Rookie of the Year and joined teammate Megan Hockley on the North Division All-Conference squad. The Saskatoon native tied for the team lead in goals with 4, adding
2 assists, while Hockley was third in the league in assists with 7, helping their team to a 5-5-2 record. Head coach, Doyle Church, was quick to thank those who came before him on the growth of the program this year. “As a program, some of the credit must go to previous coach Wendy Wagner for the work she did last year with the team as well as the recruiting,” he said. “We found a way of playing to put everyone’s strengths on display and to complement each other. Three years in a row now we have had all-conference players, and we are certainly heading in the right direction.” Hockley is receiving her second All-Conference selection after making it in 2021-2022. Rustler alumni Kyla Franks was named to
t h e N o r t h D i v i s i o n wasn’t surprised to see “She has shown matuteam last year. her involved with the rity and a good work H a v i n g a l r e a d y team’s increase in goal ethic, I fully expect her coached with the Rus- production. to build upon this seatlers as an assistant last “With four goals and son heading into futsal.” year, Church noted a two assists in 12 games, The Rustlers women’s marked improvement she’s come up with the team is already heading in Hockley’s game. r i g h t m o v e m e n t a n d into futsal training, with “I think we’ve found runs at the right time competition coming in a role she enjoys and for us,” Church said. January. has the attacking freedom that suits her strengths on the ball,” he said. “The work she put On the ice ... in defensively made Friday, Oct. 27 it easier for the playLloyd Bobcats At Okotoks Oilers – 6-3 L ers around her and Lloyd Bandits vs. Wainwright Bisons – 4-3 L allowed us to win Saturday, Oct. 28 the ball back in great Lloyd Bobcats At Canmore Eagles – 5-2 W areas.” Lloyd Bandits vs. Cold Lake Ice – 5-4 W “It’s her second allLakeland College Rustlers At SAIT –4-2 W conference in three Lloyd U18 AAA Green Mile Lancers vs. years, she has been Sherwood Park Kings – 3-2 W a consistent and reliLloyd U17 AAA Rohan vs. Fort Sask. Rangers – 3-3 able performer for us Lloyd U18AAA PWM Steelers At Rocky Mountain this year.” Raiders – 2-1 W Pluhator made Lloyd U18 AA Musgrave Agencies Steelers an impression early At Sherwood Park Fury – 4-1 W in the year, becomLloyd U15 AA Richardson Jewellery Steelers ing a more and more vs. Calgary Fire – 3-1 W important part of the Lloyd U13 AA Western Financial Steelers team’s offence. vs. Edmonton Ice White – 9-1 W Church said he Sunday, Oct. 29 Lloyd Bobcats At Calgary Canucks – 6-2 L Lakeland College Rustlers At SAIT – 5-2 W Lloyd U18 AAA Green Mile Lancers land victories, earnAt Fort Sask Rangers – 3-1 W ing multiple shutouts Lloyd U17 AAA Rohan Lancers At Knights of and finishing fifth in Columbus Centennials – 4-1 L both saves and goalsLloyd U18AAA PWM Steelers against-average. At Calgary Fire – 6-0 L “Nics award really Lloyd U18 AA Musgrave Agencies Steelers shows what growth At St. Albert Sharks – 4-1 W he’s had since last On the court ... year as a rookie and Friday, Oct. 27 work that he and his Lakeland WBB At King’s University 79-61 W GK Coaches have put Lakeland MBB At King’s University 85-77 W into the position,” Lakeland WVB vs. King’s University 3-0 W said Wagner. Lakeland MVB vs. King’s University 3-1 W The three will parSaturday, Oct. 28 ticipate now in the Lakeland WBB vs. King’s University 79-55 W upcoming futsal seaLakeland MBB vs. King’s University 87-80 W son, with training Lakeland WVB At King’s University 3-1 L starting in the next Lakeland MVB vs. King’s University 3-1 W couple of weeks.
Men’s soccer trio selected as All-Conference winners MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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Lakeland’s Mens soccer team came up just short in a tough ACAC North this fall, but several players’ efforts were recognized by the ACAC. Third-year forward Nathan Tran, fourthyear midfield Hani Tekheste and secondyear goalkeeper Nic Filipovic were all named to the ACAC North Division All-Conference team. Tran had a breakout 2023 among league
leaders in points throughout the season, finishing with 8 goals and 17 points. He did this while missing games midseason. “Nathan has shown maturity and confidence in his attacking position on the team,” head coach Kevin Wagner said. “If not for a knee injury he would have likely added to his points.” Tekheste had a much improved season from last year, anchoring the team’s midfield and lead-
ing the league in assists with 6. He also finished second in the league in total shots. Wagner complimented Tekheste for taking on more responsibility this season. “Hani arrived fit at training camp, showed confidence, maturity and was willing to do whatever it took to help his team,” he said. “Well deserved.” In goal, Filipovic continued to show progress from when he first came to Lakeland. He was in net for all seven Lake-
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