Weekend Recap | Jan 17-19
Women’s Hockey earn much needed win against Olds, men split games against Concordia
The SAIT Trojans women’s hockey team snapped their six-game losing streak on the weekend with a confidence-boosting 3–2 win against the Olds College Broncos on Saturday.
The Trojans faced the Broncos twice on the weekend, starting with a game on Friday, Jan. 17, at the SLS Centre in Cochrane, Alta.
Captain Esther Boelema opened the scoring for the Trojans halfway through the first period, assisted by Korie McGill and Kaylan Easson.
The Broncos responded with a goal of their own as Zenith Vanstone equalized halfway through the second period.
After the third period and both overtimes ended scoreless, the Broncos sealed the game in a shootout to take the Friday matchup.
Korie McGill was named player of the game for the Trojans, while Jenna Rhody earned the honour for the Broncos.
On Saturday night, the two teams faced off again, this time at Winsport Arena in Calgary.
Seven minutes into the first period, Camryn Karachi opened the scoring for the Trojans on the power play, with Boelema and Sarah Hopkins assisting.
Mikayla Loewen made it 2–0 for the Trojans early in the second period, with Boelema and Hopkins recording their second assists of the game.
Late in the second period, the Broncos scored two goals in two minutes, courtesy of Avery Kendall and Brogan Carlson, tying the game heading into the third period.
Four minutes into the third period, Sydney Hollman and Lindsey Goncalves set up Lily Roberts, who netted the game-winner for the Trojans.
With a win and a loss against the Broncos on the weekend, the Trojans are now fifth in the ACAC women’s hockey standings, one point behind the Broncos.
Next up for the Trojans women’s hockey team are two games against the league-bottom Medicine Hat College Rattlers. Game one is Friday, Jan. 24, in Medicine Hat, with puck drop at 7 p.m., while game two is Saturday, Jan. 25, at Winsport Arena in Calgary, starting at 6:15 p.m.
After a shaky start to the new year, which included a 4–0 loss to the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings, the Trojans men’s hockey team split their weekend games against the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder.
The Trojans opened the weekend at home with a Friday night matchup against the Thunder at Winsport Arena. The previous meeting between the two teams in October 2024 resulted in one win each.
After Thunder defenceman Ethyn Hopp was assessed a two-minute tripping penalty five minutes into the first period, Brandon Machado opened the scoring for the Trojans on the power play, assisted by Zach Cain and Dylan Clark.
Three minutes later, Zachary Carlson equalized for the Thunder.
Ryan Neumann and Austin Reschny set up Reece Richmond late in the first period to give the Trojans a 2–1 lead after 20 minutes.
Colby Ball scored the lone goal of the second period for the Trojans, assisted by Dylan Clark and Tye Carriere.
The Trojans led 3–1 after two periods and added another goal in the third to secure the win. Machado scored an empty-net goal to seal the 4–1 victory.
Both teams travelled to Edmonton the next day for a rematch at Ed Meagher Arena.
In a high-scoring affair on Saturday night, the Thunder’s offence fired on all cylinders, resulting in a 7–5 win over the Trojans.
Four minutes into the game, Zachary Cunningham opened the scoring, giving the Thunder an early 1–0 lead.
The Trojans responded with two goals in under three minutes, scored by Reschny and Brett Butz, to take a 2–1 lead after 20 minutes.
The second period saw seven goals, including five straight from the Thunder.
Just 1:35 into the period, Dylan Handel tied the game at two. Nine minutes in, Matthew Reidy, assisted by Noah Wilson and Alex Bend, gave the Thunder a 3–2 lead.
With less than seven minutes remaining in the period, the Thunder scored twice in under 45 seconds. Goals from Alex Bend and Carlson extended their lead to 5–2.
Isaac Leik capped off the scoring for the Thunder, with assists from Handel and Carlson.
Machado and Neumann assisted Clark late in the period, narrowing the deficit to 6–3. Zach Cox added an unassisted goal in the final minute to make it 6–4 heading into the third.
Both teams added a power-play goal in the third period. Krz Plummer scored for the Thunder midway through, while Cain scored for the Trojans with four minutes remaining.
With the 7–5 loss, the Trojans are tied with Briercrest College for first in the ACAC men’s hockey standings, both teams holding a 12–4 record.
Next up for the Trojans are two away games against the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings. Game one is Friday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m., and game two is Saturday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m.
Womens basketball extend winning streak to six games, men split games against Kodiaks
The Trojans women’s basketball team has had a near-perfect season so far.
With 12 wins in 13 games, the Trojans are currently on a four-game winning streak and looked to continue their strong season with two games against the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.
The Trojans hosted the Kodiaks at the SAIT Bubble on Saturday, Jan. 17.
It was a dominant 44–22 score at halftime for the Trojans, who went on to win the game 85–48.
Kitawana led the game in scoring, putting up 23 points along with three assists.
The Trojans travelled to Lethbridge the next day for a rematch with the Kodiaks.
Another strong offensive performance saw the Trojans victorious 78–54.
Macy Mulholland led the Trojans with 18 points and was named player of the game.
With two wins over the Kodiaks, the Trojans remain in first place in the ACAC women’s basketball South standings with a 12–1 record.
The Trojans face the Ambrose Lions on Friday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. at the SAIT Bubble, followed by an away game at Ambrose University the next day at 6 p.m.
For the Trojans men’s basketball team, it’s been an up-and-down season.
First up was the Kodiaks on Friday night at the SAIT Bubble.
It was close at halftime, with the Kodiaks leading 31–30.
The Kodiaks’ offence remained strong for the rest of the game, winning 71–66.
Killian Yopa led the Trojans’ offence with 20 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.
The Trojans responded with a strong defensive and offensive performance the following day, recording an 80–66 win over the Kodiaks to improve to a 7–6 record on the season.
Yopa was named player of the game for the Trojans, recording 13 points and five rebounds.
Jaden Matthews also had a strong game off the bench, putting up 16 points with three rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes.
With a win and a loss to the Kodiaks, the Trojans are tied for fourth in the ACAC men’s basketball South standings.
Next for the Trojans men’s basketball team are home-and-away games against the Lions on Friday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m.
Women’s volleyball sweep Kodiaks, men drop both games
The Trojans women’s volleyball team put their four-game winning streak on the line this weekend with two games against the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.
Winning their last two games of 2024 before the Christmas break and their first two games of 2025, the Trojans are one of the hottest teams in the league.
First up was the Kodiaks in Lethbridge on Friday, Jan. 17.
A close first set saw the Trojans win 25–22.
The Trojans dominated the second set, winning 25–17, and took the next set 25–22 for a straight-set victory against the Kodiaks.
Shadae Black led the Trojans’ offence with nine kills as the team extended its winning streak to five games.
The next day, the Trojans hosted the Kodiaks at Rally Pointe in Calgary.
Winning both the first and second sets 25–20, the Trojans earned their sixth straight victory by taking the third set 25–23.
Sarah Hendrickson led the Trojans in kills, recording eight on 20 attempts.
Hendrickson was also named player of the game for the Trojans.
With two wins against the Kodiaks on the weekend, the Trojans are now tied for third place in the ACAC women’s volleyball South standings with the Ambrose University Lions.
Next up for the Trojans are two games against the Lions, the first on Friday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. at Ambrose University. The Trojans will then host the Lions the following day at Rally Pointe on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m.
After losing both games against the Olds College Broncos last weekend, the Trojans men’s volleyball team looked to bounce back in two games against the Kodiaks.
The first game was in Lethbridge on Friday, Jan. 17.
After dropping the first set 25–23 and the second set 25–19, the Trojans responded with a 25–23 win in the third set.
The Kodiaks’ offence remained dominant, winning the fourth set 25–18 for a 3–1 win over the Trojans.
Jaxson Thys led the Trojans’ offence, recording 16 kills.
Both teams travelled to Calgary the next day for a rematch at Rally Pointe.
The Kodiaks’ offence stayed strong, winning three straight sets to take the game 3–0 over the Trojans.
Thys once again shone for the Trojans, recording 20 kills on 30 attempts.
With two losses against the Kodiaks, the Trojans are now sixth in the ACAC men’s volleyball South standings with a 5–8 record.
The Trojans face the Lions on Friday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m.
Podium finishes for Trojans badminton
Hosted by The King’s University Eagles, the first ACAC badminton tournament of 2025 took place on Sunday, Jan. 19.
The Trojans had three athletes competing in women’s singles, with Sienna Pricca finishing third out of 14 athletes in the tournament.
In the first round, Trish Tran of the Trojans was eliminated by Samantha Richards of the Concordia University Thunder 21–17, 21–18.
Also representing the Trojans was Taylor Burton, who was defeated by Emma Tran 21–9, 21–8 in the first round.
Pricca’s first-round matchup was against Lauryn Psutka of the host Thunder.
A strong performance from Pricca saw her take the first game 21–1 and the second 21–7, advancing to the next round.
Next up for Pricca was Noel Do of the NAIT Ooks in a closely contested match.
Do took the first game 21–9, but Pricca rallied to win the next two games 21–13, 21–9, moving on to the semifinals.
Pricca faced No. 2-ranked Khushi Vaniya of the Ooks for a spot in the finals.
Vaniya delivered a dominant performance, winning 21–9, 21–13, sending Pricca to the third-place match.
In the third-place match, Pricca defeated Emma Tran of the Thunder in two straight games to secure third place in the ACAC women’s singles tournament.
Men’s Singles
The Trojans were represented by three athletes in men’s singles.
Gurmanjot Singh faced Caelen Mah of the Ooks in the first round.
The two split the first two games, with Mah winning the first 21–14 and Singh taking the second 21–14.
A close third set saw Mah prevail 21–19, advancing to the next round.
George Cho of the Trojans faced Evan Labonne of the Thunder in his first-round match.
Cho cruised to a 21–4, 21–11 victory to advance to the second round, where he faced second-ranked teammate Carl Canillo, who had a bye in the first round.
In the all-Trojans matchup, Canillo won 21–13, 21–18, eliminating Cho and advancing to the semifinals against fourth-ranked Smit Patel of the Ooks.
Patel defeated Canillo in two straight games, 21–13, 21–13, sending Canillo to the third-place match against third-ranked Raphael Motel of the Thunder.
Due to Motel forfeiting the match, Canillo secured third place in men’s singles.
Men’s Doubles
The Trojans fielded two teams in men’s doubles.
The first team, Canillo and Paul Ouano, faced Mah and Ray Wang of the Ooks in the first round.
Canillo and Ouano dominated, winning 22–20, 21–12 to advance to the semifinals against Motel and Jonathan Su of the Thunder.
The second Trojans team, Cho and Daniel Chi, took on Patel and Davis Wong of the Ooks.
The Ooks pair advanced to the semifinals with a 21–15, 21–17 victory.
In the semifinals, Motel and Su defeated Canillo and Ouano in three close games, 21–18, 16–21, 21–19, sending the Trojans pair to the third-place match.
Canillo and Ouano faced Patel and Wong in the third-place match.
After splitting the first two games, 21–13 and 18–21, the Trojans pair prevailed in a long third game, winning 25–23 to secure third place.
Women’s Doubles
The Trojans had two teams competing in women’s doubles.
Pricca and Trish Tran faced Psutka and Emma Tran of the Thunder in the first round.
The Thunder pair won in straight games, 21–18, 21–12, advancing to the semifinals.
The top-ranked Trojans duo of Ziyu Kong and Ouano had a bye in the first round.
In the semifinals, they defeated Anya Caingles and Rachel Chan of the Ooks, winning 21–17, 21–15 to advance to the finals against second-ranked Do and Samantha Tran of the Ooks.
The final went to three games, with the Trojans taking the first game 21–5.
Do and Tran won the second game 21–18, but Kong and Ouano bounced back to win the third game 21–18, securing first place for the Trojans.
Mixed Doubles
The Trojans entered three teams in mixed doubles, with two teams ranked in the top four.
Chu and Burton faced Wang and Samantha Tran of the Ooks in the first round.
The Ooks pair advanced with a 23–21, 21–15 victory.
Fourth-ranked Singh and Kong had a bye in the first round.
Second-ranked Paul and Archelle Ouano also had a bye in the first round and faced James Pulido and Keira Brouwer of the Eagles in the quarterfinals.
The Ouanos won 21–5, 21–12 to advance to the semifinals against third-ranked Wong and Vaniya of the Ooks.
In the other quarterfinal, Singh and Kong faced top-ranked Mahdi Ahmadi and Melissa Roque of the Eagles.
Ahmadi and Roque delivered a dominant performance, winning 21–4, 21–9.
In the finals, the Ouanos faced Ahmadi and Roque but fell 21–10, 21–12, finishing in second place.
Trojans Curling shines in first tournament of 2025
The first ACAC curling tournament of 2025 was dominated by the Trojans.
The tournament took place over three days, Jan. 17–19, hosted by the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder at the Thistle Curling Club.
Women’s Team
The Trojans women finished with a 4–1 record.
They secured victories over the host Thunder (7–5), Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (6–4), NAIT Ooks (9–1), and University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings (11–2).
Their final game of the tournament resulted in a 3–0 loss to the Lakeland College Rustlers.
Men’s Team
The Trojans men were undefeated, finishing with a perfect 4–0 record.
They opened with a 7–1 win over the Vikings, followed by a 5–3 victory against the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings.
The team dominated their remaining matches, defeating the Ooks and capping off the tournament with an 8–1 win over the Rustlers.
Mixed Team
In the mixed division, the Trojans ended with a 3–1 record.
After dropping their opening game 7–2 to the Thunder, the Trojans rebounded with three consecutive wins: 5–3 over the Kings, 10–0 against the Portage College Vikings, and 6–5 against the Rustlers.
The Trojans will head into the ACAC Curling Championships as favourites. The championships are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7 to Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Red Deer Curling Club in Red Deer.
Written by Alec Wells, Trojans Men's Soccer athlete, and journalism student at SAIT.