Season Preview: Soccer launches the athletic season this weekend
ACAC soccer season is just around the corner with games starting this Saturday.
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) soccer season is just around the corner with games starting this Saturday. The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks will start the season on the road at Ambrose University.
The men’s soccer team has enjoyed a stellar pre-season, beginning with a strong performance against the Lakeland Rustlers. They then travelled north to face The Kings University Eagles, Portage College Voyageurs, and NAIT Ooks, finishing with a record of two wins and two ties.
The women’s soccer team has making impressive strides as they explore different lineups. On their northern tour, they earned a solid tie against The Kings University Eagles before facing a close contest against the NAIT Ooks. Despite a narrow loss to the Ooks, the team's performance demonstrated their adaptability and promise, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Kodiaks women’s soccer 2023 season preview
HEAD COACH:
Sean Carey (seventh year, ACAC women’s coach of the year in 2018, 2019 and 2023)
ASSISTANT COACHES:
Robyn Gieske, John D’Agnone, Mike Racz, Gerry Muldoon, and Kayla Blacquiere
2023 REGULAR SEASON:
11-1-0 (W-L-T), 33 points, first in the ACAC south division
55 goals for (second in the south division), 5 goals against (tied for first in the south second in the ACAC)
2023 LEADERS:
Goals: Kyra Piekema (11, fifth in the ACAC)
2023 ACAC championships:
Fourth place finish, losing to Concordia University Edmonton 2-1
KEY RETURNEES:
Megan Morrison (fourth year, defence, Nursing Bachelor’s Degree, Medicine Hat)
Shelby Bach (fifth year, defence, Early Childhood Education, Medicine Hat)
“Our back line is half fifth years and half fourth years. Megan is massive for us. For the size she is, she plays such a big game. Shelby is a massive return for us back there. She was an ACAC all-conference player last year.” – Sean Carey
Jayna Timinski (fourth year, midfield, Early Childhood Education, Calgary)
“She commands the midfields a lot; she's the first out on offence a lot of times for us. She is also able to hold that midfield position in front of the defence.” – Sean Carey
Kyra Piekema (second year, striker, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge)
“Kyra was the rookie of the year last year. Having her up front again is going to be huge for this team.” – Sean Carey
KEY REINTRODUCTION:
Khloe Jankowiak (first year, midfield, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge)
When Jankowiak last played for the Kodiaks for the 2019 season, the team finished third in the conference and she had six goals on the season.
“She just has such an awesome game. She scores quality goals, and we saw that in preseason exhibition games. She just commands in there and she never gives up. With players like that on your team, you're going to go a long way.” – Sean Carey
KEY ADDITIONS:
Kiara Jankowiak (second year, centre-back/koal keeper, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge)
“Kiara is a versatile athlete for us, can play goalie and she can play out. She's super strong in both positions.” – Sean Carey
Jadyn Hoy (first year, full-back, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge)
“Jadyn is having some of her best games I've seen her play in preseason. Nobody gets past that girl in defence and she's quite a luxury for us to have.” – Sean Carey
Hazel Baumbach (first year, midfielder, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge)
“Hazel is a versatile player. She can playre-mid and a full-back position. She's so coachable. She seems a little nervous at the moment. Once I can get those nerves out of the way, she can be a complete player in this league.” – Sean Carey
COACH IN HIS OWN WORDS:
“If we play to our full potential and we avoid injuries to key players, I think we can make a big mark this year, considering it's pretty much a new team. Obviously, our expectations every time at Lethbridge Polytechnic now is to make the finals, and then once you get to the dancing from there, then anything can happen. Coming off a historic regular season last year, I think we just have to remind them that it takes a good team, and they are a good team. We might have lost a lot of skill from last year, but we didn't lose any heart.” – Sean Carey
Kodiaks men’s soccer 2023 season preview
HEAD COACH:
Sean Carey (seventh year, ACAC men’s coach of the year in 2018 and 2019)
ASSISTANT COACHES:
Robyn Gieske, Dave Low, Mike Racz, Gerry Muldoon, and Ben Knight
2023 REGULAR SEASON:
4-4-2 ( W-L-T), 14 points (third in ACAC south division), 16 goals for (tied for third in south division), 29 goals against.
2023 LEADERS:
Goals: Jake Marshall and Ryder Skolka (3, tied for top Kodiaks scorer)
2023 PLAYOFFS:
Lost to NAIT Ooks 6-0 in ACAC quarterfinals
KEY RETURNEES:
Ryder Skolka (second year, striker, Business Administration, Nelson, B.C.)
“He’s as fit as I've ever seen him and just ready to play. He's ready to lead this year, even though he's only a second year.” – Sean Carey
Jake Marshall (second year, midfielder, General Arts and Science, Nelson, B.C.)
“You can tell in practice, he’s raised the level of practice. He’s expecting and demanding a lot from the boys, which is awesome to see.” – Sean Carey
Nikola Baljak (second year, midfielder, Engineering Design Technology, Nelson, B.C.)
“He worked so hard this winter and in this offseason to improve his game and he’s already been a big impact for us in preseason.” – Sean Carey
KEY REINTRODUCTIONS:
Charlie Block (third year, defence, Open Studies, Lethbridge)
Block played for the Kodiaks for two seasons: 2021 and 22. As a defender, he averaged one goal a season.
“Charlies matured a lot and we're expecting big things from him this year. He just sees the game differently than a lot of players that I've ever coached as he sees three or four steps ahead.” – Sean Carey
Wilson Ntignee (fifth year, Forward, Business Administration, Bori, Nigeria)
Ntignee started his post-secondary career playing a year for the University of Saskatchewan in 2012. He then joined the Kodiaks and played from 2017-2018 and again in 2021-22.
“Wilson just brings an element of flair and skill to the team. He can also change a game on its head sometimes. You know, it's great to have him back.” – Sean Carey
KEY ADDITIONS:
Adam Krisko (first year, goaltender, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge
Tristan Martin (first year, goaltender, General Arts and Science, Whitehorse)
“First year goalies but they’re as good as I've ever had here in the program. Adam and Tristan just both bring different elements to their to the position. They're such strong shot stoppers, distribution is phenomenal and vocal. I'm so impressed with the two goalies this year.” – Sean Carey
Decon Stang (first year, right back, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge)
Bronson Schlichter (first year, wing, Business Administration, Lethbridge)
“We've picked up eight Lethbridge Football Club kids this year (including Decon and Bronson) and they’re going to have a big impact on this season for us. They've got some grit, which is what Lethbridge soccer generally develops.” – Sean Carey
COACH IN HIS OWN WORDS:
“We’ve got a solid group of guys. This is as good a group of guys I’ve had together since 2019 (the last championship Kodiaks won) and I think if we can them all rolling in the same direction, we're going to be very, very tough to stop this year. I feel like we've already gelled. They already had some adversity in preseason exhibition games, going down a goal against NAIT, and instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they brushed themselves off and came back to tie the game, and we had some chances to win it. So that's the big thing this year, different attitudes.” – Sean Carey
The opening matches of the season are happening this weekend starting Saturday, Sept. 7 on the road against Ambrose University Lions. The following day Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks will host their first home game on Servus Centre Outdoor Field against the SAIT Trojans. The women's game kicks off at noon, followed by the men's match at 2 p.m. There will be a barbecue for fans attending Sunday's games hosted by the Kodiaks Association.