2026 ACAC Futsal Championships Recap and Individual Awards

In CUE’s inaugural Futsal season, both the Men’s and Women’s qualified for ACAC Championships. Both teams travelled South to Medicine Hat with the goal of bringing two banners back home.

Men’s Futsal started their weekend with a game against the Lethbridge Kodiaks, ultimately falling just short in extra time 6-4. The team went on to play the Lakeland Rustlers the following day, needing a win for the chance to play for bronze. Unfortunately, it was the Rustlers who came out on top, downing the Thunder 4-1 and officially ending their weekend. Among the standout players for Thunder Men’s Futsal was Duke Naylor who scored two goals CUE in the tournament, and Elisha Nyathi and Carlos Echeverria, who each had a goal and an assist. 

Women’s Futsal kicked off their quest for gold with a strong 6-0 win against the Lakeland Rustlers, which they followed up with a hard fought 2-1 win in the semi-finals against hosts Medicine Hat Rattlers. With the Championship banner on the line, the Thunder played rivals NAIT in the final, where they ultimately beat the Ooks 1-0 to claim first place. The Thunder had big weekends from Madison Kempster, who scored two goals in the tournament including the all-important game winning goal against the Ooks, as well as Vanessa Pietramala, who had two assists and was named a tournament all-star. Goalkeeper Taytum Busch also had a standout weekend, picking up two clean sheets as well as being named a tournament all-star and the Women’s Futsal tournament MVP. 

With the conclusion of Futsal Championships, the 2025-26 Thunder athletic season has come to a close. Thunder Soccer will begin in August to kick off the 2026-27 athletics season, with the men looking to build upon their successful outdoor season in 2025, while the women will look to capture a third straight ACAC Soccer Championship title.