The NAIT Ooks and the Lakeland Rustlers met in the North Division Final at the Emerald Hills Sports Pavilion in Sherwood Park on Saturday afternoon. After a tough 90-minute battle, the NAIT Ooks came out on top with a 2-0 win, sending them into the championship game next weekend.

NAIT Ooks made their presence known by scoring in the 6th minute. Midfielder Mario Deluca kicked it home, assisted by Cristian Lima. Besides the first goal, it was a quiet first half, but a big collision in the 38th minute kicked the game into action.

It was 1-0 NAIT Ooks after the first half.

Lakeland forward Giodano Ciccacci had a breakaway early in the second half, looking to put his team on the board, but NAIT Ooks goalkeeper Zach Black game up big with the save to keep his team in the lead.

NAIT Ooks turned it around with an offensive rush, but the Lakeland Rustlers defenders were there to shut the door and keep the game within one.

Jared Lazarus had an excellent chance for the Lakeland Rustlers, but Zach Black was there with a jumping catch. Black leads the league in save percentage and goals against this season.

After a back-and-forth battle, Luca Chinni scored, assisted by Lima in the 75th minute to give the NAIT Ooks a 2-0 lead. Lima leagues the lead in assists.

The NAIT Ooks will be moving on to play at home on Saturday, October 30th at 2:00 PM against the SAIT Trojans in the ACAC Championship. The game will be broadcast on acactv: https://www.acactv.ca/en/c/mens-soccer-sait-at-nait-oct-30-2021.30552