VOYAGEURS WRAP UP SEASON WITH LOSS TO VISITING OOKS

VOYAGEURS WRAP UP SEASON WITH LOSS TO VISITING OOKS
October 22, 2025

LAC LA BICHE – Load up your favourite Drake, Eminem, MC Hammer, or Kendrick Lamar track because that's a rap…er wrap! The Portage College Voyageurs played their last game of the 2025 ACAC Soccer season, losing 6-0 at home to the NAIT Ooks. Lilly Mangan made 15 saves and Rayna Kupsch played a strong game as the Voyageurs battled to the final whistle and gave the North Division leaders a run for their money on a cool but sunny Saturday afternoon.

 

"We definitely did well," said Head Coach Macky Singh. "Yeah, we lost 8-0 earlier in the season to NAIT and 6-0 today but when you look at it, some of the things that we did were pretty positive. We kept them at bay quite a bit."

 

Indeed, except for a three-minute span at the end of the first half and a two-minute period midway through the second, the Voyageurs avoided giving up goals in bunches and kept the powerful Ooks from having too many Grade A scoring chances. Jyla Micael Erandio scored three goals to finish the season with 12 while Sasha Pietramala, Daelin Horsfield and Campbell Wood added single tallies in the victory.

 

After the game, Singh was in a reflective mood, pleased to see how far his inexperienced and injury-plagued squad had come in a few short months. Playing some games with no substitutes due to nagging injuries, the women kept to their defensive structure and kept the score close for many games, even beating Lakeland 1-0 on October 9.

 

"I'm really proud of the ladies for sure," said Singh, who has already left his mark on the program less than two years into his tenure at Portage. *This scribe was guilty of adding a third year to his time at the College in last week's article.  

 

As he continues to work with his coaching staff to recruit new players for next year while also preparing for the upcoming futsal season, Singh hopes to emulate the success of Saturday's opponents.

 

"You know, NAIT is a really good team," he said. "It's a good program, well coached, and…our goal is to get close enough to them. That will probably take another couple of years before we would get close to them but we're moving in the right direction."

 

Players of the Game:

 

After the game, the Voyageurs recognized three graduating athletes who've left a mark on the program and in the community. Ashley Tweedy, Ash Hennenfent and Karyl Cuesta were each presented with a framed photo of their time at Portage and saluted on the field by the team and the fans.

 

Tweedy, who holds the all-time goals record by a Voyageurs Women's Soccer player, was celebrated for her defensive play this year and for her amazing drive to play this year after suffering a devastating knee injury in her third year of eligibility. "It's great to see Tweedy finally back playing and to see her confidence and self-belief grow in each game," said Singh.

 

Hennenfent, who has also competed in futsal and curling while at Portage, improved steadily over their time at the College. "To see Ash develop and grow as a soccer and futsal athlete, gain self-confidence and improve their ability over the years is truly special," noted Singh.

 

Cuesta, who completed her Practical Nursing Diploma last year, came back this fall to take some University Transfer courses and to suit up for the Voyageurs once again. "We were excited to have her return this year as she really impresses in midfield with her defensive abilities but also her attacking effectiveness, running with the ball, and initiating and creating attacking opportunities for team," said Singh.