Weekend Recap: Kodiaks women’s teams thrive in weekend competition

The Kodiaks had a good showing over the past weekend with both soccer teams and cross-country competing.

On Saturday afternoon, the Kodaks cross-country teams got its first look at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championship course and their results leave Kodiaks fans with high hopes for a banner.

Also on Saturday, the Kodiaks women’s soccer team travelled to Camrose where they dominated the pitch against the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings.

On Sunday, the soccer teams hosted the Medicine Hat Rattlers where the teams split games with the Kodiaks women coming away victorious.

Sept. 28 XC | ACAC Grand Prix #4

The Kodiaks travelled to Calgary for the fourth ACAC Grand Prix of the season hosted by St. Mary’s University.

The women had a great showing in the six-kilometre race, finishing first overall as a team with 37 points. Hannah Pilling (first year, Academic Upgrading, Cardston) won her first ACAC race with her best time of 25:00. The Kodiaks also saw improvement with Annah Westrop (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) and Kate Block (second year, Business Administration, Waldheim, Sask.) both taking more than 30 seconds off their previous race times.

The men’s eight km race followed with the Kodiaks securing a second-place finish with 39 points in the team category. Owen Stewart (third year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge) was the first Kodiak to cross the line with an improved time of 29:01. He was closely followed by Ethan Grasmeyer (second year, Natural Resource Compliance, Smithers, B.C.) and Conner Van den Hoek (second year, Business Administration – Management, Fort Macleod) who also had improved times from their last race in Lethbridge.

Sept. 28 WSOC | Kodiaks 9 vs UAA Vikings 0

The Kodiaks wasted no time in scoring against the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings with Kyra Piekema (second year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) scoring two minutes into the match. This was followed by Sophie DeMarsh (first year, General Arts and Science – Psychology and Sociology, Calgary) at the 14-minute mark. Two goals by Megan Morrison (fourth year, Bachelor of Nursing, Medicine Hat) put the Kodiaks up 4-0 at the half.

Only two minutes into the second half, Morrison scored her third goal of the day. This was followed by goals from Jordan Wright (second year, Bachelor of Nursing, Calgary) and Alexa Evis (third year, Massage Therapy, Worcester, England). DeMarsh capped off the game for the Kodiaks with two more goals making it a 9-0 win for the Kodiaks.

Players of the Game:

LPK: #14 Sophie DeMarsh 

UAA: #9 Elle Popiel 

Sept. 29 WSOC | Kodiaks 4 vs MHC Rattlers 1

The Kodiaks took the momentum from Saturday’s game into the match against the Rattlers and they started aggressive. The Kodiaks gained control of the match early on, resulting in DeMarsh scoring just before the six-minute mark. Khloe Jankowiak (second year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge) also put one by the Rattlers goalkeeper. DeMarsh finished the first half with another goal off a penalty kick, making it a 3-0 game.

In the second half, Jankowiak scored another goal adding to the Kodiaks lead. The Kodiaks maintained control throughout the second half. A slight miscommunication cost the Kodiaks a goal, but they managed to reset and hold on to their lead finishing the game with a 4-1 victory.

LPK: #17 Khloe Jankowiak

MHC: #4 Alivia Rybchinski  

Sept. 29 MSOC | Kodiaks 2 vs MHC Rattlers 4

The Kodiaks men had a slow start to the match which gave the Rattlers the momentum in the first half. The Rattlers scored four goals with three from their captain Tata Mugisha. The Rattlers led 4-0 at the half.

The Kodiaks had more energy in the second half and there was more back-and-forth in play. The game started to become a little more aggressive, and the Kodiaks took advantage of that atmosphere. Captain Ryder Skolka (second year, Business Administration, Nelson, B.C.) was able to sneak one past the Rattlers goalie. Another late goal came from a penalty kick taken Jaxon Uhl (third year, Business Administration – Management, Lethbridge). Unfortunately, the Kodiaks comeback fell short and the Kodiaks feel 4-2 to the Rattlers.

Players of the Game:

LPK: #8 Nikola Baljak

MHC: #8 Tata Mugisha 

The Kodiaks soccer teams host the Ambrose University Lions Sunday. This will be the last home match for the men’s soccer team, so the team will be honouring their senior athletes.