By Scott Roblin

Rattlers fall flat in regular season finale versus SAIT

Oct 23, 2017 | 11:23 AM

CALGARY, AB – A humbling end to the regular season for Medicine Hat Rattlers soccer teams, falling to the top-ranked SAIT Trojans on Sunday afternoon.

Both the men’s and women’s teams were hoping to dethrone the Trojans and claim the first seed ahead of playoffs next weekend.

It was a scoreless affair in the women’s game until the 27th minute, when SAIT midfielder and fifth-year veteran Cassandra Bush opened the scoring with her fourth of the season to put the Trojans ahead 1-0.

The Rattlers trailed by one goal heading into the second half, but SAIT doubled their lead in the 52nd minute off the foot of Bush on a penalty kick, beating Kassidy Suberlak.

A little over 10 minutes later Bush completed the hat-trick on a breakaway, scoring three goals in her final home game as a Trojan.

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Cheyanne Holland capped off the scoring for SAIT in the 67th minute, as the Rattlers suffered a 4-0 shutout loss to conclude the regular season.

Suberlak faced six shots on Sunday and allowed four goals in the loss.

Despite the loss, the Rattlers remain in second place in the ACAC South Division and have booked their spot in the playoff rounds with a regular season record of 7-2-1.

As for the Rattlers men’s team, they fell behind early against the Trojans with defender Nick Moore converting in the first minute.

Just over five minutes later that SAIT lead was doubled with striker William Akio booting home his 12th goal of the year, helping the Trojans to a very early 2-0 lead.

The Rattlers were starved offensively, as Medicine Hat failed to register a single shot on goal in the opening half.

Another goal from SAIT coming in the 56th minute courtesy of Romel Ayerdis, giving the Trojans some breathing room at a 3-0 lead.

Medicine Hat was able to snap the shutout in the late stages of the second half, however substitute Johnny Koehane’s marker would serve as too little, too late with the Rattlers losing by a 3-1 count.

The Rattlers were outshot 11-5 by SAIT, with goalkeeper Joao Vitor Duz Batista allowing three goals on seven shots on net.

The loss drops the Rattlers into third place in the South Division standings with a 6-3-1 regular season record, but is good enough to secure a playoff spot.

Playoffs get underway on Friday, with the women’s team facing Concordia University in Olds, while the men’s team takes on the NAIT Ooks in Edmonton.