By RDC Athletics

RDC soccer, hockey and cross-country running teams in action this weekend

Sep 7, 2018 | 7:02 AM

The new RDC Athletics season hits the ground running this weekend as the Kings and Queens soccer teams open ACAC league play at home, the Cross-Country Running team enters its first competition, and Kings and Queens Hockey play exhibition games.

Here’s a closer look at what’s happening this weekend…

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Queens Soccer | Saturday, September 8 | 12:00 p.m. | RDC

The Red Deer College Queens will open a new ACAC soccer season against the Ambrose University Lions at the RDC Main Field. The Queens impressively earned a 4-1 exhibition record and showed signs of their depth and offensive flair.

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This year’s squad is comprised of seven returning student-athletes along with 12 talented new recruits and transfers.

Eight of the new student-athletes are from central Alberta which creates a lot of familiarity between the players and Head Coach Esad Elkaz. “All of the new student-athletes are well trained and have played in the competitive stream from U12 to U18,” said Elkaz. “The Queens who join us from central Alberta have had some tremendous coaches, and it is a huge benefit for me to know many of these players before. We don’t have to spend time concentrating on the basics and I believe that will put us one step ahead.”

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Kings Soccer | Saturday, September 8 | 2:00 p.m. | RDC

Following the Queens, the RDC Kings will host the Ambrose University Lions in their opening conference game of the season.

The Kings have a slightly more experienced lineup this season with the return of nine student-athletes. Seven exciting, new players have been added to the roster and the RDC Kings demonstrated their quickness during non-conference play after going 2-1-2.

Kings Head Coach Wade Groenewegen feels some key returning student-athletes along with speedy recruits will help boost the team’s offence this season. “We definitely added to our forward ranks this year,” says Groenewegen. “We brought in guys who are as good as anyone we had up front last year. The guys that we retained all improved. We are definitely better moving forward.”

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Cross Country Running | Saturday, September 8 | Concordia University of Edmonton

The RDC Cross Country Running team will compete in the first grand prix of the season, and Head Coach Kari Elliott likes the talent and potential of this season’s blend of returning and new runners. “This year, we have many new faces but they are an exciting group of student-athletes,” says Elliott. “As a coach, I am thrilled to be working with these high-calibre competitors and I’m very pleased to see the progress they have made, especially our third-years.”

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Queens Hockey | Ice Breaker Tournament | Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

This will be the perfect opportunity to get an early look at the Queens lineup and cheer on these dedicated RDC student-athletes in this state-of-the-art facility. Along with the Red Deer College Queens, the MacEwan University Griffins, Olds College Broncos and SAIT Trojans will compete over the weekend in non-conference play. For the Queens’ weekend tournament schedule, please visit: rdcathletics.ca.

Queens Hockey | Sunday, September 9 | 6:00 p.m. | Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

In a Sunday exhibition contest, the Red Deer College Queens will compete against the Central Alberta Amazons.

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Kings Hockey | Friday, September 7 | 7:00 p.m. | Saturday, September 8 | 3:00 p.m. | U of L

The RDC Kings will hit the ice against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns (U Sports).

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For more information on RDC Athletics, schedules, and game recaps of conference games, please visit: rdcathletics.ca