Kodiaks Women’s Soccer recognized with ACAC awards after an historic 2023 season!

Oct. 24, 2023 - The Kodiaks women’s soccer team brought in both the South Division Rookie and Coach of the year honours as well as having four players named to the all-conference team. The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) announced its annual soccer awards for the 2023-24 season Tuesday afternoon.

Lethbridge College Kodiaks head coach Sean Carey was named the ACAC Women’s Soccer South Division Coach of the Year. This is the third time that Carey, who has been at the helm of both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Lethbridge College for seven years, has earned this prestigious honour.

Carey was recognized for leading the women’s team to its first regular season title and best regular season record of 11-1 since the program’s inaugural year in 1994.

“Sean and his staff have built the Kodiaks Soccer program into a perennial contender and the commitment and time that takes is amazing to watch,” says Todd Caughlin, Kodiaks Athletics Director. “The fact that Sean has earned this honor three times in his seven-year tenure supports what the program accomplishes year in and out! We are very proud of Sean and his staff for earning this recognition!”

Kyra Piekema (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) has been selected as the 2023-24 ACAC Women’s Soccer South Division Rookie of the Year. Piekema finished the regular season ranked fifth overall in goals scored, 25th in assists and sixth in points. She earned one Kodiaks Student Athlete of the week recognition along with being selected the ACAC Player of the Match twice.

“Kyra has had an amazing impact on the league in her first season,” says Carey. “She’s made the striker position her own and once she got the opportunity to start, she ran with it and was instrumental in the Kodiak’s success this season.”

Caughlin adds: “As competitive as the ACAC South division of women’s soccer is, to earn this recognition is an incredible honour and well deserved on Kyra’s part!”

Four members of the Kodiaks women’s soccer team were named to the ACAC All-Conference team. Kenley Matishak (second year, Academic Upgrading, Calgary), Nikki Stahl (fifth year, Unit Clerk, Lethbridge), Raeleen Vanden Dungen (fifth year, Early Childhood Education, Vauxhall) and Shelby Bach (fourth year, Early Childhood Education, Medicine Hat) were all voted to the 11-player team by the conference’s head coaches.

Matishak has established herself as being an impact player for the Kodiaks consistently posing a significant threat on the wing that forces opposing teams to adapt their gameplay. She finished the regular season with six goals and four assists.

Stahl stepped into a more significant role this season when she was designated as the team’s captain. She finished the regular season with seven goals, two assists, and ranked fourth in the conference for the number of shots she took. 

Vanden Dungen, who transferred from the University of Lethbridge, is now in her fifth and last year as a student-athlete. Her unwavering consistency throughout the season solidifies her status as a seasoned player for the Kodiaks. She concluded the regular season with a record of 10 goals and five assists, securing the second spot in the conference for shots on goal.

Bach, who transferred from Medicine Hat College, brought a wealth of experience to the team. Throughout the season, she anchored the Kodiaks' defense, demonstrating excellent play tracking and effectively preventing opposing teams from getting fast breaks.

The honourees will be recognized during the 2023 ACAC Women’s Soccer Championship in Edmonton, which take place from Thursday to Saturday.

The Kodiaks have an automatic bye into the semi-final round since the team finished first in the south. They will play at 12:30 p.m. Friday against the winner of Red Deer Polytechnic Queens and Keyano College Huskies quarterfinal match.

The Kodiaks men’s soccer team will face the NAIT Ooks, who finished second in the ACAC North Division, in the quarterfinal match at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

You can read more on the ACAC soccer awards and follow along with the championships at https://acac.ab.ca/. All ACAC championship games can be streamed live on acactv.