Weekend Recap: Silver medals and ACAC honours for Kodiaks futsal

March 11, 2024 - The Lethbridge College Kodiaks women's futsal team secured silver medals at the 2024 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Futsal Championships this weekend. Despite facing challenging opponents, including the North's No. 1 seed, undefeated and reigning futsal champions, the Keyano College Huskies, the Kodiaks powered through to secure their place in the finals.

The ACAC presented awards for futsal's regular season competition for the first time at the banquet held on Saturday. Both Taylor Hrycun (fifth year, General Arts and Science, Edmonton) from Kodiaks women’s futsal and Trey Lukye (third year, Criminal Justice – Policing, Duchess, Alta.) from Kodiaks men’s futsal earned well-deserved South Division All-Conference recognition.

Three Kodiaks women were named ACAC tournament all-stars following the gold medal match. Kodiaks' standout players Megan Morrison (third year, Nursing Bachelor’s Degree, Medicine Hat), Jordan Quinn (third year, Nursing Bachelor’s Degree, Picture Butte), and Hrycun were each honoured with selections.

Friday, March 8 | Kodiaks 1 vs Keyano College Huskies 2

The Kodiaks started the first game of the ACAC championships against the top-ranked Keyano Huskies. The Kodiaks went down early 1-0 before Megan Morrison tied things up at half. The Huskies were able to score again late into the game and won 2-1.

Players of the Game:

Huskies: #8 Selena Arima

Kodiaks: #3 Megan Morrison

Friday, March 8 | Kodiaks 1 vs Lakeland College Rustlers 3

The Kodiaks' second match of the day was against the North's third-seeded team, Lakeland College Rustlers. The Rustlers were able to get ahead of the Kodiaks early. Morrison was able to score for the Kodiaks. Kodiaks goalkeeper Sammy Demchuk (third year, Nursing Bachelor's Degree, Whitehorse) stepped up in this game having to step in for starter Jordan Quinn after she was injured and made some big plays to keep the team in the game. The Kodiaks eventually lost 3-1 to the Rustlers.

Players of the Game:

Rustlers: #14 Darian Pluhator

Kodiaks: GK Sammy Demchuk

Saturday, March 9 | Quarter-finals: Kodiaks 1 vs Olds College Broncos 0

The Kodiaks faced off against the Olds College Broncos in the quarter-finals. It was a back-and-forth game of good saves by both goaltenders, which left the game scoreless at the half. Kodiaks' Ivy Hozack (first year, General Arts and Science, Medicine Hat) scored the winning goal, advancing the Kodiaks to the semifinals.

Players of the Game:

Broncos: #5 Shelbee Stebanuk

Kodiaks: #11 Ivy Hozack

Sunday, March 10 | Semifinals: Kodiaks 2 vs Keyano College Huskies 1

The Kodiaks had a chance to redeem themselves in the semifinals as they took on the Huskies again. It was a defensive match in which Kodiaks goalkeeper Jordan Quinn kept the Huskies from scoring, sending the game to overtime. Taylor Hrycun scored the first goal for the Kodiaks, but the Huskies were able to tie things back up at one apiece. Hrycun scored again late into overtime, earning the Kodiaks a spot in the final with a 2-1 win.

Players of the Game:

Huskies: #12 KIERA THOMAS

Kodiaks: GK Jordan Quinn

Sunday, March 10 | Gold Medal Match: Kodiaks 0 vs SAIT Trojans 1

The Kodiaks faced the South's No. 1-ranked team, SAIT Trojans, in the gold medal match. Both teams held each other off, ending the first half tied at zero. A late goal from the Trojans in the second half secured SAIT the gold. The Kodiaks took home silver after dropping the match 0-1.

Players of the Game:

Rustlers: #6 Saige Joseph

Kodiaks: #6 Taylor Hrycun