A trio of St. Albert Rams returned home from the national bantam lacrosse championship with silver medals.
Mathieu Gautier, Alex Sorochan and netminder Jace Simington-Lesanko contributed to Team Alberta’s 6-2 (62 GF/39 GA) record at last week’s nationals in Saskatoon.
In the final Alberta lost 13-1 to undefeated Ontario (81 GF/10 GA in seven games).
Gautier ranked among the tournament’s top scorers with nine goals (tied for first on the team) and 14 points (third on the team).
Sorochan collected three goals and one assist and Simington-Lesanko posted a 4-1 record and 4.60 GAA in 225 minutes played in five games.
Visit www.stalbertgazette.com to view the players’ medal picture.
Will Backhouse’s four goals in Monday’s must-win match propelled the St. Albert Rangers into the provincial playdowns in the Edmonton District Soccer Association.
The 4-0 decision over the Rising Stars (3-8-3) to wrap up the division 1A fixtures lifted the Rangers (8-4-2) past Africana FC (7-3-4) into second place for a berth in the Tier I playdowns.
The Rangers also benefitted from the 1-1 draw between Africana and Man City (3-6-5) this week to qualify for the playdowns.
The Rangers will play the second-place division 1B team in Monday’s semifinal at 6:30 p.m. at the ESA Complex.
The winner not only advances into the Aug. 18 final for the second EDSA berth at provincials but will also challenge the eighth-place premier team Aug. 24 for a spot in premier next year.
Backhouse’s four goals gave the former St. Albert Impact division 1B player 13 on the season for a share of top spot in the division 1A scoring race with Jerad Uytterhagen of the first-place Sherwood Park Karpaty (12-0-2).
Meanwhile, the division 1B Impact finished the EDSA fixtures at 3-9-2 in seventh place after Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to The Club (7-2-5) at the ESA Complex. Jake McGlame scored the lone goal.
The St. Albert Impact division 1B women kick off their Edmonton District Soccer Association provincial playdowns next Saturday.
The first-place Impact play Angels Scottish SC (11-0-2), the top division 1A team, at 2 p.m. at the ESA Complex.
The winner qualifies for Tier I provincials and the loser faces the winner between the second-place division 1A and 2B teams for the last provincial berth Aug. 24.
The Impact earned a premier division promotion as the No. 1 division 1B team.
The Impact are 9-3-4 after league play ended in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over the host Angels Scottish Classic (7-2-5).
Hallee Peter scored her ninth goal of the season and Ashley Chaput posted the shutout.
Chelsea Fitzgerald also finished as the division 1B leading scorer with 12 goals.
The Impact division 2A team secured a division one promotion with their first-place showing this season.
The Impact were 12-2-1 entering their last match before the Tier II provincial playdowns but Thursday’s score against Ice-Lodhar (2-10-3) was unavailable at press time.
The playdowns start Thursday against the first-place division 2B team at 6:30 p.m. at the ESA Complex.
A victory guarantees the Impact a provincial berth and the loss would drop them into the Aug. 21 match between the second-place division 2A and 2B winner for the second provincial berth.
Melanie Seidel is tied for first in the division 2A scoring race with 11 goals.
Meanwhile, the Impact premier women close out the season Tuesday against Dreadnought (5-10-1) at 7 p.m. in Sherwood Park.
The fourth-place Impact (11-6) are coming off a 5-1 loss to Victoria (12-5) this week at Riel Park.
The Impact led 1-0 at halftime on Jade Deputan’s goal.
