Kodiaks soccer is gearing up for the start of the 2023-24 season
The Kodiaks men’s and women’s soccer programs are set to kick off a new Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) campaign.
Sept. 7, 2023 – The Lethbridge College Kodiaks men’s and women’s soccer programs are set to kick off a new Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) campaign.
Both teams recently returned from a pre-season excursion to Whitehorse, where they played exhibition games against the Yukon Selects, had training sessions with Sean Fleming who served as a staff coach with Canada Soccer from 1996 to 2016, and did strength and conditioning sessions with Northern Strength Academy.
The Yukon trip was designed to build team camaraderie leading into the season as well as to promote the Kodiaks, who hosted a youth soccer camp. At the camp, the teams worked with local young athletes on building skills and local coaches to develop their leadership and coaching strengths.
Last season, Lethbridge College hosted the ACAC championships. The women’s team came away with a bronze medal, while the men’s team lost in the first game of the championships. Each team looks to grow from that experience this season.
The Kodiaks women enter this season with a mix of hungry returning student-athletes and a recruiting class that includes a lot of new talent. “I say this every year, and I believe it every year, that these are the strongest teams I've put together,” says Sean Carey, head coach of the Kodiaks soccer teams. “This is a team that is built to go to a national championship, if we can play the game, get the girls focused and stay relatively injury-free, the depth on the team this year is something we've never had before.”
On the men’s side, the Kodiaks will be sporting a much younger roster – one Carey believes will catch opponents by surprise. “We've got an abundance of options this year, players who can compete at the highest level in this league,” says Carey. “I think some teams will be very surprised with us this year. But we won't be surprised because our expectations are to go to a national championship, as it is every year.”
Kodiaks women’s soccer 2023 season preview
HEAD COACH:
Sean Carey (sixth year, ACAC men’s and women’s coach of the year in 2018 and 2019)
ASSISTANT COACHES:
John D’Agnone, Kayla Blacquiere, Mike Racz, Gerry Muldoon, Robyn Gieske
2022 REGULAR SEASON:
7-4-1, 22 points, third in the ACAC south division
43 GF (third in the south division), 14 GA (fifth in ACAC south division)
2022 LEADERS:
Goals: Ashley Sazalski (12, tied for fourth in the ACAC)
2022 ACAC championships:
Third place finish, beating NAIT 2-0.
KEY RETURNEES:
Malorie Hanson (fourth year, midfield, General Studies, Whitehorse)
“She's come in and already proved in the first three days of training camp that she's here to win and here to lead. She's setting by example out there; she's got the best times in pretty much everything we do for fitness testing.” – Sean Carey
Nicole Stahl (fifth year, midfield, Unit Clerk, Lethbridge)
“She's one of the best players in our league. She’s just another one who is leading by example and setting the bar for the newer players of what it takes to be successful in this league.” – Sean Carey
Taylor Hrycun (fifth year, centre-back, General Studies, Edmonton)
“She's the rock of our defence because she’s big, strong and vocal, which makes her a good leader and a winner. She’s the kind of teammate who will lift everybody else up when it's time to dig deep and compete.” – Sean Carey
KEY ADDITIONS:
Samantha Burgis (first year, goalie, Open Studies, Whitehorse)
“She's coming into play goalie this year. I think Sam is going to have a big role to play in our program.” – Sean Carey
Shelby Bach (fourth year, midfield, Early Childhood Education, Medicine Hat)
“She has some real experience coming from Medicine Hat College. She’s going to bring depth to the program.” – Sean Carey
Rylee Worsey (first year, midfield, General Studies, Raymond)
“She’s part of a strong group of players coming from Lethbridge Football Club. She knows the game and reads the game well.” – Sean Carey
COACH IN HIS OWN WORDS:
“We're going to be good. We're going to be able to compete with the best in our league and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw this team bring home a banner – that's the goal for the season.” – Sean Carey
Kodiaks men’s soccer 2023 season preview
HEAD COACH:
Sean Carey (sixth year, ACAC men’s and women’s coach of the year in 2018 and 2019)
ASSISTANT COACHES:
Mike Racz, Dave Low, Wilson Ntignee, Gerry Muldoon, Robyn Gieske
2022 REGULAR SEASON:
3-3-4, 12 points, fourth in ACAC south division17 GF (fourth in south division), 25 GA (fourth in south division)
2022 LEADERS:
Goals: Jaxon Uhl (4)
2022 PLAYOFFS:
Lost to The King’s University Eagles 2-0 in ACAC quarterfinals.
KEY RETURNEES:
Joel McLeod (second year, defence, Business Operations, Medicine Hat)
“He was the ACAC men’s soccer rookie of the year last year. He's back again and looks in good shape and ready to take a leadership role as well this year.” – Sean Carey
Vincent Dyke (third year, defence, Business General, Lethbridge)
“He’s a guy who is so versatile and can play anywhere on the field. He excels in any position he’s in.” – Sean Carey
Ben Knight (fifth year, midfield, General Studies, Manchester, England)
“Ben's a key returner. Anytime you can get an ACAC Player of the Year back in your squad, they are just going to make everybody better.” – Sean Carey
KEY ADDITIONS:
Ryder Skolka (first year, striker, Business General, Nelson, B.C.)
“He was one of their top recruits coming out of their interior B.C. programs this year. With his height and build, he can really be intimidating on the field” – Sean Carey
Jacob Marshall (first year, midfield, General Studies, Nelson, B.C.)
“He's going be that guy who is just going to turn around to his teammates and give them fire and lift everybody up.” – Sean Carey
Nikola Baljak (first year, midfield, Engineering Design Technology, Calgary)
“He’s coming over from Calgary Foothills Tier One, so he has got lots of quality and skills.” – Sean Carey
COACH IN HIS OWN WORDS:
“I think people underestimate Lethbridge College lots of times, and this year is definitely one of those they shouldn't.” – Sean Carey
The opening matches of the season are happening this weekend with two consecutive days of home games at Servus Centre Outdoor Field. On Saturday, the college hosts Red Deer Polytechnic, with the women's match starting at 2 p.m. and the men's match at 4 p.m. Activities continue Sunday, with the Olds College Broncos facing the Kodiaks. 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.