Rustlers Ready To Kick Off A New Season

A new season of Lakeland College Rustlers athletics is underway, as student-athletes returned to competition and soccer where they had the first chance to welcome local fans back to the sidelines.

The Rustlers women’s and men’s soccer teams opened their home schedule, taking to the field at Holy Rosary High School in Lloydminster on Saturday, Aug. 29 against The King’s University Eagles. The women kicked things off at noon, followed by the men at 2:15 p.m.

There wasn’t much time to settle in, as another home matchup followed the day. On Sunday, August 30, the Rustlers hosted the NAIT Ooks, again with the women taking the field at noon and the men following at 2:15 p.m.

The opening weekend marked the beginning of a busy fall for Rustlers athletics and the return of the familiar green and gold to courts, fields, arenas and rodeo dirt.

Soccer will continue through September and October, with Lakeland also hosting Keyano College on September 19, followed by another home date against Keyano on September 20. Concordia University of Edmonton comes to Lloydminster September 27, and the Rustlers will wrap up their regular-season home schedule against Portage College on October 17.

While soccer gets an early start, it is only the beginning.

Lakeland’s athletic program includes basketball, volleyball, hockey, rodeo, soccer, futsal, curling and rowing, with most Rustlers teams competing in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. Rodeo athletes compete through the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, while Lakeland’s rowing crew competes against university programs across Western Canada.

By October, the Rustlers schedule will be in full swing.

Women’s hockey begins its home schedule October 16 against Northwestern Polytechnic at the Cenovus Energy Hub in Lloydminster, while Rustlers volleyball begins home action October 23 against Medicine Hat College.

Basketball fans will have to wait just a little longer, with the Rustlers women’s and men’s teams opening their home schedule October 30 against Red Deer Polytechnic at the Lloydminster campus gymnasium.

The 2026–27 season follows another strong year for Lakeland athletics. Last spring, Athletics Director Alan Rogan pointed to the number of Rustlers teams reaching championship competition as a reflection of the commitment shown by Lakeland student-athletes.

“We are so proud of all our student athletes,” Rogan said at the time. “Having many of our teams qualify for the championships and being successful is a true testament to their dedication to their sport and pride in Lakeland.”

That combination of competition and education remains at the heart of the Rustlers program. Lakeland describes its athletic philosophy through three areas of success — the classroom, competition and community — with the reminder that its athletes are students first.

As another school year has returned the Rustlers spirit has returned along with it.