Weekend Recap: Homecoming festivities

Oct. 23, 2023 – The Lethbridge College Kodiaks hosted their inaugural Homecoming Weekend Friday to Sunday. Player, coaches, and fans had their first look at the Kodiaks new gameday set up in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium, which included a new LED scorer table and black and Kodiak blue bleachers.

On Friday, the Kodiaks basketball teams played in front of a large home crowd. Both men’s and women’s teams came away with a win that night.

The fun continued the next day with Kodiaks volleyball taking the floor and another large crowd. The women’s team fell short to the Ambrose University Lions, but the men’s team built off the crowd’s cheers and took down the Lions.

On Sunday, the Kodiaks soccer teams played their last regular season matches of the year with championships positioning on the line. Even with tough weather conditions, the women’s team won against the Medicine Hat Rattlers, but the men’s team took a loss. At the end of each game, the seniors of the team were filled with speeches and photos to honour their time part of the Kodiaks program.

Basketball

Oct. 20 WBB | Kodiaks 77 vs AMB Lions 56

The Kodiaks played in their first home game of the season against the Ambrose University Lions Friday night. Both teams came into the game with wins under their belt. Kodiak Kitawna Sparks (second year, Business Administration, Taber) scored the first points of the game, giving the fans something to cheer about. The Lions found their ground early in the game and gained a short lead. The Kodiaks started to press the Lions, and this changed the momentum of the game. At the end of the first quarter, the Kodiaks were up 15-11. 

The Kodiaks started the second quarter with five immediate points, forcing the Lions to call an early time-out. Jocelyn Neilson (second year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) had the hot hand of the second quarter, scoring six points for the Kodiaks. The Lions’ offence had a tough time getting through the Kodiaks defence and putting up shot. The second quarter ended with the Kodiaks up 35-23.

The Lions had the better start coming into the second half until Kodiaks Courtney Deemter (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Calgary) was able to get into a solid rhythm throughout the quarter picking up seven points throughout the quarter. The Kodiaks continued to add to their lead with a 22-point gap. The third quarter finished with a score of 62-40 for the Kodiaks.

In the final quarter, the Kodiaks started off fast with six points, forcing the Lions to call a timeout. The Lions regrouped and came back into the game, almost closing the gap making it a six-point game. The Kodiaks continued to pressure the Lions to find a hole in their defence and it paid off. The Kodiaks won the game with a final score of 77-56.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #22 Jocelyn Neilson

AMB Lions: #5 Makenna Yeung

Oct. 21 WBB | Kodiaks 85 at AMB Lions 64

The Kodiaks travelled to Ambrose University where they faced the Lions again Saturday night. The Kodiaks came of the gate strong. Kodiaks Hannah Helton (fifth year, Exercise Science, Okotoks) lead her team through the first quarter, picking up eight points and two steals. At the end of the first quarter the Kodiaks led 28-18.

Momentum started to turn in favour of the Lions in the second quarter as they slowly closed the 10-point gap. Madison Barfuss (second year, Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology, Hill Spring, Alta.) was able to come off the bench for the Kodiaks and set up a few offensive plays. The Kodiaks held on the lead, finishing the second quarter up 47-35.

The Kodiaks came out of the break with some new energy and read the Lions’ offense almost seamlessly, which resulted in six steals and a few blocked shots. Sparks was huge for the Kodiaks' offense in this quarter, picking up nine points and three rebounds. The Kodiaks jumped even farther ahead, finishing the quarter up 70-47.

The Lions had a better start as they were in control for most of the fourth quarter. The Kodiaks seemed to slow down their pace in the game, but Emily Hall (third year, Practical Nurse, Magrath) was able to come off the bench and breathe life back into the Kodiaks’ defence. Even with the small comeback, the Lions couldn’t beat the clock. The Kodiaks finished the game victorious with a score of 85-64.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #8 Tylee Perry

AMB Lions: #4 Marin Barkey

Oct. 20 MBB | Kodiaks 99 vs AMB Lions 62

On Friday night, the Kodiaks faced off against the Ambrose University Lions. The Kodiaks fed off of the crowd’s loud energy right off of the start of the game, resulting in a 10-point lead. The Lions could feel the momentum the Kodiaks were gaining and called a timeout to regroup. Coming out of the timeout Kodiaks Filip Karanovic (third year, General Arts and Science – Psychology Sociology, Herceg Novic, Montenegro) was exchanging baskets with a Lions player. The quarter ended with a score of 27-15 for the Kodiaks.

The Lions’ defence looked strong at the start of the second quarter, but it was no match for the Kodiaks. Declan Peterson (second year, Business Administration, Bentley, Alta.) was a fan favourite as he led the Kodiaks offence with seven points, including a dunk, a few blocks and three rebounds. The Kodiaks wrapped up the second quarter up 47-27.

At the start of the third quarter, the Lions tried to find their way past the Kodiak’s defence by attempting quick shots from deep in the court. The Kodiaks were able to add to their lead now making it a 35-point gap. Rhett Lewis (first year, General Arts and Science, Cardston) picked up eight points, five rebounds and three steals for the Kodiaks. The third quarter finished with a score of 75-40 for the Kodiaks.

Going into the last quarter the Kodiaks took off some pressure which allowed the Lions to earn back a few points and limit the damage on the scoreboard. Jared Heggie (third year, General Arts and Science, Raymond) came off the bench with some fire. He brought the crowd to its feet as he scored nine points, all from three-pointers. The Kodiaks won the game 99-62.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #21 Declan Peterson

AMB Lions: #7 Hudson Wiebe

Oct. 21 MBB | Kodiaks 90 at AMB Lions 42

The Kodiaks were thrown into the Lions’ den on Saturday night as they played in front of the Ambrose University fans for their home opener. The Kodiaks and the Lions had a back-and-forth first quarter exchanging shots. The first quarter finished with the Kodiaks up 14-11.

The Kodiaks came out even stronger on both ends of the court in the second quarter. Heggie came in off the bench picked up a fast six points for the Kodiaks. The Kodiaks defence limited the Lions to only nine points in the quarter. The second quarter finished with a score of 36-20 for the Kodiaks. 

Again, the Kodiaks came out of the break looking better than before. The Lions had a tough time defending the Kodiaks offence in the third quarter. Karanovic led in scoring this quarter with 10 points and three defence rebounds that converted into scoring chances for the Kodiaks. The quarter ended with the Kodiaks leading 63-34.

Going into the final quarter, the Kodiaks had a good lead on the Lions, but it didn’t stop there. The Kodiaks have a lot of depth on their team including Michael Olsen (first year, General Arts and Science, Cardston) who came off the bench and scored seven points, with three assists and two rebounds. The Kodiaks got the win on the road as they took down the Lions with a final score of 90-42.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #21 Declan Peterson

AMB Lions: #12 Guilherme Ferreira

Volleyball

Oct. 20 WVB | Kodiaks 0 at AMB Lions 3

The Kodiaks women’s volleyball team had their first game of the season playing at Ambrose University. The Lions came out with a strong start taking an early lead. The Kodiaks defence was able to move faster and more effective as the first set went on. The first set ended with the Kodiaks losing 23-25.

In the second set, the Kodiaks saw their offence pick up the speed to go on a few runs early in the match. The Kodiaks even ended the set with a higher hitting percentage of .550 over the Lions, but the Kodiaks couldn’t get the win, losing the second set 23-25. 

The Lions had all the momentum and crowd on their side going into the third set. The Kodiaks fell to the Lions 20-25 in the third set. Kodiaks Abby Sauder (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Swift Current, Sask.) ended the game with nine points, six kills, two digs and one service ace.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #2 Abby Sauder

AMB Lions: #8 Willow Lewington

Oct. 21 WVB | Kodiaks 0 vs AMB Lions 3

The Kodiaks women’s volleyball team hosted their home opener of the season Saturday night at the Val Matteotti Gym. The Lions took an early lead finding themselves up 10-5 when the Kodiaks took their first timeout. The Lions kept up the pressure widening the gap to 19-7. Ambrose closed out the set with a final score of 25-16. 

The second set had a similar start to the first as the Lions taking control early. The Kodiaks responded on a run of their own tying it back up at 10 a piece. The Lions took back momentum and controlled the rest of the set. The Lions took set two winning 25-17.

In the third set the Kodiaks had a more consistent play getting out of ruts quickly, which limited the Lions’ lead. Ultimately the Kodiaks fell 25-20 to the Lions making it a three-game sweep for the second night in a row.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #1 Taryn Bach

AMB Lions: #11 Faith Solecki

Oct. 20 MVB | Kodiaks 3 at AMB Lions 0

The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team travelled to Calgary to play against the Ambrose University Lions Friday night. The Kodiaks came out with an aggressive style of play forcing the Lions to take a timeout. Even after the timeout the Lions struggled to get momentum in the first set, leading to the Kodiaks winning 25-13. 

The second set had a similar story where the Kodiaks had a fast start gaining an early lead. The Lions were able to respond to the Kodiaks making it a closer set, but the Kodiaks still came out on top 25-21 at the end of the second set.

The third set saw the Kodiaks out to an early lead, but the Lions kept within striking distance. It wasn’t until the end of the set that the Lions came out swinging which caused the set to go longer. The Kodiaks were able to come together and finish out the game in three sets winning 26-24 over the Lions.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: # 20 Nate Callihoo

AMB Lions: # 4 Noah Verhoef

Oct. 21 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs AMB Lions 0

The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team played in front of their home crowd for the first time of the season. The set began with some nerves as both teams missed their first two serves. The Kodiaks were soon able to jump out to an early lead, which they were able to maintain for the remainder of the first set seeing them take it with a score of 25-18.

Set two saw more of the same from the Kodiaks commanding rallies as they were able to amass a four-point lead late in the set. The second set finished with a dominant Kodiaks win of 25-18.

In the third set, the Kodiaks took charge and made some incredible plays that gave the fans something to cheer about. The Kodiaks were able to finish the Lions off with a final score of 25-20 with the Kodiaks defeating the Lions in straight sets. 

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #22 Paul Dionne

AMB Lions: #6 John Revilla

Soccer

Oct. 20 WSOC | Kodiaks 8 at UAA Vikings 0

The Kodiaks women’s soccer team travelled to Camrose to play the University of Alberta-Augustana. The Kodiaks came out strong with Raeleen Vanden Dungen (fifth year, Early Childhood Education, Vauxhall) scoring within the first minute of the match. The Kodiaks kept possession for the most of the first half with Kyra Piekema (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) and Kenley Matishak (second year, Academic Upgrading, Calgary) also scoring goals. The first half finished with the Kodiaks up 3-0. 

The second half started much like the first with scoring early, followed by another from Vanden Dungen and Piekema. Much of the second half took place in the Vikings end as the Vikings didn’t get a chance to put a shot on net in the second half. Nikki Stahl (fifth year, Unit Clerk, Lethbridge) added to the Kodiaks score as well as first year Kesla Chervenka (first year, Business Management, Lethbridge), who scored her first ACAC goal. The gamed ended with the Kodiaks winning 8-0.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: # 14 Montanna Rousselle

Oct. 23 WSOC | Kodiaks 2 vs MHC Rattlers 1

The Kodiaks played in their last home match of the season against their highway 3 rivals the Medicine Hat College Rattlers. The weather conditions saw cold temperatures and snow for the teams to play through. Both teams struggled to get shots off as lots of play was in the middle of the field battling for possession. Montanna Rousselle (second year, General Arts and Science – English, Cranbrook, B.C.) scored the first goal for the Kodiaks in the thirteenth minute. The Rattlers quickly responded and tied up the game. The first half ended with a score of 1-1.

In the second, half both teams found great chances to score but Kodiaks keeper Samantha Burgis (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Whitehorse, YT) and the Rattlers keeper saved nearly every shot. It wasn’t until the 78^th minute that Kodiaks Piekema found the back of the net bringing the score up to 2-1 for the Kodiaks. The Rattlers kept up their game through the rest of the half but could not get past the Kodiaks. The game concluded with the Kodiaks winning their last home game of the season 2-1.

This win secures the Kodiaks as the number one team in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) south division and a bye into the semifinals, where they will face either Keyano or Red Deer in the ACAC Championship tournament at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct 27. This win also marks an end to a historic regular season, as the team finished with a record of 11-1.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #9 Ana Waurynchuk

MHC Rattlers: #15 Krisanne Shorhen

Oct. 23 MSOC | Kodiaks 2 vs AMB Lions 4

On Sunday afternoon, the Kodiaks matched up against their Highway 3 rivals the Medicine Hat Rattlers. The Rattlers opened the scoring early scoring within the second minute of the match. The Kodiaks battled back fighting through the weather and kept play in the Rattlers end. They were finally able to break through in the 25th minute when Jacob Marshall (first year, General Arts and Science, Nelson, B.C.) scored to give some hope back into the team. After an eventful first half the Rattlers led the Kodiaks 3-1. 

Both teams fought hard in the second half while the play stayed in the midfield with no team gaining an obvious advantage. The weather worsened, leading both teams to adopt a more conservative playstyle. The Kodiaks were able to get within one on a penalty kick goal by Brandon Francis (second year, Exercise Science, Lethbridge) in the 73rd minute. The Rattlers would soon regain their two-goal lead with a penalty kick of their own which they converted on. The Rattlers held on to their lead with a final score of 4-2.

Despite that loss, the men’s team finished third in the ACAC south division and will face NAIT in the quarterfinals of the ACAC Championship tournament at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. 

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #15 Ben Knight

MHC Rattlers: #8 Tata Mugisha

Next up:

SOC ACAC Championships in Edmonton | Oct 26 - 28

Kodiaks BB vs STMU Lightning | Friday, Oct. 27 W – 6 p.m. M – 8 p.m.

CC ACAC Championships hosted by Lethbridge College | Saturday, Oct. 28 [ W – 112pm & M – 1pm