Covy Moore/Rocky View Publishing

A pair of Mustangs double team a Chestermere Laker during the semi-final matchup May 22 at Monklands Soccer Park in Airdrie.

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Mustangs win semi-final matchup against Lakers

The George McDougall Mustangs defeated the Chestermere Lakers High School football team 2-0 in a rain-soaked semi-final at Monklands Soccer Park in Airdrie, May 22.

The matchup sent the Mustangs to the Rocky View Sports Association’s soccer finals, which took place May 24 against the Cochrane Cobras (after press time).

The Mustangs took an early lead in the first half, before netting its final goal shortly after the halftime break.

“We started really well, but had a breakdown at the end of the first half, and we played through it,” said Mustang’s Head Coach Brian DeGuiseppe.

“They played really strong but couldn’t get the ball in the net, but that wasn’t a problem being up two nothing.”

The Mustangs have yet to record a loss on the season, despite having trouble scoring in the first half. According to DeGuiseppe, the change from one striker to two was all the team needed to have the ability to put the ball in the net.

“We went to a different system, we were playing with one striker and it wasn’t working very well,” said DeGuiseppe.

“That’s what we have played for years: the two strikers.”

The weather went from warm sunny skies during the warm-up to heavy rain in the second half, something that DeGuiseppe says his players were ready for.

“This was terrible. This is Calgary and these guys have been playing soccer most of their lives, so they know to expect the unexpected,” he said.

Heading into the final, DeGuiseppe is confident against the Cochrane Cobras.

“We just beat Cochrane,” said DeGuiseppe.

“We have a strong possibility to beat… (Cochrane), I just want to come out and play our game. If they can play like they did today, I think they will be able to do it. Play strong and play some smart soccer.”