Trojans frustrated, but still earn the 'W'

CALGARY, ALTA., (Sept. 21, 2019) - The SAIT Trojans scored only once in their Saturday afternoon victory, but it wasn't for a lack of trying.

The Trojans had plenty of opportunities, but managed to beat Medicine Hat College Rattlers goalkeeper Joao Vitor Duz Batista just once to win 1-0 in the battle of two Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) South Division teams.

"I thought we controlled most of the game, but unfortunately, we couldn't finish as much as we would have wanted to," said Bradley Atherton (2nd year, Calgary, Business Administration), one of SAIT's team captains. "The goals are coming, for sure, though. We're playing the right kind of soccer; it's really nice to watch at times."

SAIT sends their record to 4-0 on the season, and in the process, hands Medicine Hat their first loss of the year (2-1-1).

The only goal the Trojans needed came 20 minutes into the opening half when Eduardo Filho (4th year, Paracatu, Brazil, Environmental Technology) scored on a penalty kick.

That would be the last goal Batista allowed, as he made save after save in the second half to keep his team in the game.

"It seems like all the goalkeepers we have been playing lately have been putting in fantastic performances," Atherton laughed. "Give credit to him today, but we should have been able to finish more."

The Trojans will now turn their attention to Sunday, when they hit the road to take on the host Lethbridge College Kodiaks. The game will be a rematch of last year's ACAC Men's Soccer Championship bronze medal game when SAIT needed penalty kicks at the end to secure the win.

"They're a really tough team, but we know we can play really good soccer ourselves," Atherton stated. "Defensively, we know we're strong, and (Sunday), hopefully the goals come."