Weekend Recap: Kodiaks sweep their home opener weekend

Sept. 11, 2023 – The Kodiaks Soccer teams started the 2023 season of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference off hot this past weekend.

Both teams played to a loud Kodiaks crowd Saturday afternoon at the home opener at Servus Centre Outdoor Field. The Kodiaks played into the support as they came out victorious against the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Kings and Queens.

The fun continued Sunday afternoon as the Kodiaks Association hosted what’s become an annual BBQ for spectators at the game. The Kodiaks put on another show beating both the Olds College Broncos men’s and women’s teams. 

Sept. 9 WSOC | Kodiaks 3 vs Red Deer Queens 2

The RDP Queens and Kodiaks clashed on the pitch as they kick off the new season, each team determined to start off with a win.

In the first half of the match both teams displayed strong defensive play and goalkeeping skills. The Kodiaks had several shots on net and the Queens had two free kicks that were ultimately turned away by Kodiaks defense. Late into the first, Kodiaks Raeleen Vanden Dungen (fifth year, Early Childhood Education, Vauxhall) managed to score the first goal of the season finishing the half with a score of 1-0 for the Kodiaks. 

The Kodiaks picked up where they left off in the first half, Nikki Stahl (fifth year, Unit Clerk, Lethbridge) scored early as she capitalized on a penalty kick. The Queens were quick to respond as Isabel Anthony scored putting up their first number. As the time winded down the Queens pressed keeping play in the Kodiaks half. The game concluded with a score of 2-1 for the Kodiaks earning them their first win of the season over the defending ACAC Champions.

Players of the Game:

RDP Queens: #31 Abby Kotyk

LETH Kodiaks: #13 Nikki Stahl

Sept. 9 MSOC | Kodiaks 3 vs Red Deer Kings 2

The RDP Kings and Kodiaks meet for the first time in the new season both looking for their first win.

Both teams started the game eager to secure their first victory. The Kings initially dominated the Kodiaks' side of the field. However, in the first half, the Kodiaks turned the tide with Ryder Skolka (first year, Business General, Nelson, B.C.) scoring the first goal, followed by another from Jacob Marshall (first year, General Studies, Nelson, B.C.). The first half ended with a score of 2-0 in favor of the Kodiaks.

The second half began with increased tension on the field. The Kodiaks maintained offensive pressure in the Kings' territory. The Kings managed to break through with a goal from Ajdin Sarcevic. As the second half neared its end, Joel McLeod (second year, Business Operations, Medicine Hat) scored a third goal for the Kodiaks. The game ended with a score of 3-2 for the Kodiaks.

Players of the Game: 

RDP Kings: #8 Eshay Fernandes

LETH Kodiaks: #7 Jacob Marshall

Sept. 10 WSOC | Kodiaks 5 vs Old’s College Broncos 0 

Lethbridge Kodiaks faced the Old’s College Broncos in an attempt to win their second game of the season. 

The Broncos kicked off the game strong keeping the ball in their possession. Kodiaks flipped the side of the pitch on the Broncos leading them to the first goal of the game made by Jayna Timinski (third year, Child and Youth Care, Calgary). The Broncos made an exceptional shot at scoring a goal but was blocked by the Kodiaks at the last second leaving the crowd in awe. The half concluded with a score of 1-0 for the Kodiaks. 

Starting the second half, the Kodiaks kept the Broncos on their side of the field with little chance of a breakthrough. The Kodiaks extended their lead with Malorie Hanson (fourth year, General Studies, Whitehorse) scoring, followed by Nikki Stahl (fifth year, Unit Clerk, Lethbridge) scoring two quick tallies by penalty kick and a midfield goal seconds later, and finally late in the game Kenley Matishak (second year, Academic Upgrading, Calgary) sealed the victory with a goal. The Kodiaks ended victorious with a final score of 5-0.

Players of the Game:

Broncos: #8 Kassidy Kelly

Kodiaks: #3 Megan Morrison (third year, Nursing Bachelor’s Degree, Medicine Hat)

Sept. 10 WSOC | Kodiaks 1 vs Olds College Broncos 0

Lethbridge Kodiaks came out on top after a tight back-and-forth match against the Olds College Broncos.

The Broncos kept the Kodiaks fighting for possession as the play stayed in the Kodiaks half for much of the start of the game. Kodiaks keeper Finn McCann (second year, Open Studies, Cultas Lake, B.C.) made a lot of saves off to keep the Kodiaks in the game. The Broncos continued to keep the Kodiaks running, looking for an opening to score. The half finished with a score of 0-0. 

Kodiaks started the second half with urgency as Jacob Marshall (first year, General Studies, Nelson, B.C.) had a diving header to score the first goal. The Broncos added pressure and increased the intensity late in the game trying to even up the match. Kodiaks keeper Finn McCann made multiple big saves late that ultimately saw the Kodiaks come out on top. The game finished with a final score of 1-0 for the Kodiaks.

Players of the Game:

Broncos: #4 Cristian Gomez

Kodiaks: #3 Julio Vega Sibrian (third year, Engineering Design Technology, Lethbridge)

Next up: Kodiaks at Ambrose Lions | Sunday, Sept. 17 W - noon M - 2 p.m.