Women’s soccer Huskies use strong second half to topple Queens

Whatever message was delivered to the Keyano Huskies women's soccer team at halftime Saturday in Edmonton proved to be a successful one. 

The women burst open a 0-0 tie at the half with five goals in the second half, including a pair by Natalie Orellana, conquer the Red Deer Queens by a 5-0 score. 

The result closed out their Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference preseason schedule with a 2-0-0 record. 

"They were a little bit asleep in the first half, but we were able to figure it out," said head coach Niels Slotboom. "At half time if showed what they were capable of, which is great but now it's something that we've got to bring consistency into."

Orellana broke the deadlock with a magnificent play, intercepting a ball the Red Deer goalkeeper was tossing to a nearby teammate and sending it directly back into the Queens' net. 

Minutes later, Orellana was in the right spot again to perfectly head a corner kick by Emma Bendera into the back of the net to double the lead. 

"There was a really big difference," said Orellana, comparing the team's pair of preseason opponents. "It came in the first half of play. We were too calm, not playing how we should be playing. 

"Halftime, [Niels] fixed that and we came in strong in the second half." 

Marissa Mestre got in on the scoring action as well. A series of solid ball movement through the midfield got the ball to Mestre as she was streaking down the wing. Powering past her opponent, she forced the ball short side on the goalkeeper to add her name to the scoresheet. 

With Red Deer taking control of the ball on the ensuing restart, the Huskies pressured a turnover at midfield and once again utilized each other with several quick touches to keep the Queens' defence guessing before the ball made its way to Amber Deep, who calmly notched her fourth preseason goal with three Red Deer defenders around her.

In net, Chole Gamble earned the clean sheet as she squashed any Red Deer chances as they arose. From the net out, the change in her side was visible between the first and second half. 

"As soon as we got on the field, everyone was doing exactly what we needed to do, shifting from one side to the other, making the passes, connecting balls, and putting it in the back of the net." 

Skylar Robertson closed out the scoring the game with a powerful strike, adding the topping to another boost of confidence as the squad sought a continued upward swing heading into the regular season two weeks from now. 

The women's soccer Huskies will now train before opening their 2021-22 regular season by hosting the Concordia Thunder on Saturday, September 19 at 2:00 p.m.