Thunder Women’s Soccer Capture 2024 ACAC Soccer Championship
For the first time since 2010, the Concordia Women’s Soccer team are ACAC Champions after defeating the 2023 champion SAIT Trojans in by a score of 2-1.
To get to the final, CUE had to first go through the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens, defeating the Queens 1-0. CUE got the scoring started in the 12th minute with a goal by Angelina Saporito, assisted by Vanessa Pietramala.
The first half saw Concordia control play with smothering defence largely containing the Red Deer attack to midfield. The 2nd half saw Red Deer applying constant pressure, attempting to keep their championship hopes alive. In the 52nd minute Red Deer appeared to have tied the game until the goal was disallowed for an offside. Both teams traded scoring chances but it was Madison Kempster who came up big in net, saving multiple scoring chances and securing the shutout win for the Thunder.
Moving on to face the SAIT Trojans, CUE was ready for the battle of the only two undefeated teams in 2024. SAIT came into the tournament a perfect 12-0-0 and was the team that eliminated the Thunder in the 2023 championships.
In the 27th minute, a breakaway pass from SAIT midfielder Nikki Charlton set up striker Rachelle O’Leary, who buried it for the Trojans, putting them up 1-0. The second half saw CUE push hard for an equalizer, while SAIT looked to extend their lead.
CUE’s persistence finally paid off in the 82nd minute, as Emma Derechey found the back of the net with an assist from Vanessa Pietramala, tying the game at 1-1 and bringing new life into the Thunder lineup.
With just minutes left in regulation, CUE struck again in the 88th minute, as Pietramala scored off a high-bouncing ball, assisted by Abigail Burton, to claim a 2-1 lead. The Thunder held firm in the final moments to seal the victory and secure the gold medal.
Tournament all-stars for the Thunder included goalkeeper Madison Kempster and striker Abigail Burton. Concordia’s game winning goal scorer, Pietramala, was named the tournament MVP.
ACAC Awards
A season as successful as Women’s Soccer in 2024 came with plenty of awards. Head Coach Gadeer Sobh won the ACAC North Coach of the Year in her first year at the helm. Under her leadership, the Thunder were dominant on the field, scoring 46 goals and boasting a goals-against average (GAA) of 0.42, with 8 shutouts throughout the season. Sobh successfully integrated nine rookies into the squad while guiding the returning core players to an 11-0-1 record.
Vanessa Pietramala received the ACAC North Player of the Year award for the second season in a row. In 12 games, she has recorded an impressive 14 goals and 8 assists, totaling 36 points and leading the team’s offense with a solid .560 shot percentage. Throughout her career with the Thunder, the fourth year midfielder has played in 42 games, starting 41 of them, and has accumulated 30 goals and 35 assists for a total of 95 points.
Rounding out the awards were 3 ACAC All-Conference selections for the Thunder, with Pietramala, defender Mallory McDonald-Cockrall, and goalkeeper Madison Kempster each receiving the award.
Thunder Women’s Soccer will now compete for a national title, as they travel to Squamish, BC for the 2024 CCAA Women’s Soccer Championship. The championship runs from November 6-9.