News

The Thunder Women's Soccer team split their games this past weekend beating the Kings Eagles on Friday night and losing to NAIT on Saturday afternoon. "The CUCA women, many with little or no post-secondary experience, have demonstrated that they have the potential to compete against any ACAC team but have quickly discovered that their inexperience in certain positions can make it difficult to remain in games," stated Head Coach Franco Imbrogno.  In Friday night's 2-1 win over Kings, first year striker Jillian Sanders and returnee Chantal Smith both scored and also both fired a ball off the crossbar which were just two of several missed opportunities.  "This is encouraging," says Coach Imbrogno.  "It's about penetrating in the attacking third and creating opportunities; the goals will come as long as we stay committed and composed."  Kings offered little in the attacking front but did find a way to take the lead early in the game on a through ball past Concordia's defenders to a King's striker who quickly slid the ball past the Thunder Keeper.
In Saturday's much anticipated match versus NAIT's high powered offense, Concordia was determined to play a defensive formation of 4-5-1 and keep the opposition at bay.  The Thunder executed their game plan and frustrated the visitors as they defended with numbers and with a purpose but within a dozen minutes the inexperience of Concordia goaltending began to show and the Thunder quickly found themselves down 1-Nil.  Several minutes later,  ACAC all-time goal scorer Leanne Kadatz launched a shot from 30 yards out and scored a highlight goal in the top right corner putting Concordia down by two.  Down by four to start the second half, the Thunder changed and went into an offensive formation and maintained the run of play but unfortunately within another dozen minutes, the ball found its way into the back of Concordia's net.  Coach Imbrogno gave both of his goalies an opportunity against the offensively gifted Ooks.   "I realize they are young and have little experience in competitive environments but they have to be better and they will be."   The Thunder Women will get back to work this week in preparation for a pair of road games when they travel up to Ft. McMurray this coming weekend to face off against the Keyano Huskies.