Weekend preview: Soccer teams eye first
It’s been a stupendous start to the ACAC season for both Kodiaks men’s and women’s soccer teams. Now, both squads have their sights set on even higher honours as they pass the midpoint of the ACAC season this weekend.
Sept. 25, 2019 – It’s been a stupendous start to the ACAC season for both Kodiaks men’s and women’s soccer teams. Now, both squads have their sights set on even higher honours as they pass the midpoint of the ACAC season this weekend.
Both Kodiaks teams are 4-1 to begin the season, and if they can earn sweeps this weekend against Medicine Hat College and Ambrose University, both will leave the weekend in no worse than a tie for first place in their respective south divisions.
Meanwhile, the Kodiaks cross country team is back on the north side of the border after a strong weekend in Montana, and will look to build momentum as the team is just one month away from the ACAC championships.
MEN’S SOCCER
Kodiaks (4-1) at Rattlers (3-1-1) – 2 p.m. Saturday at Medicine Hat College
Kodiaks (4-1) vs Lions (0-5) – 2 p.m. Sunday at Servus Sports Centre field
A disappointing loss on the opening weekend of the season seems to have fired up the Kodiaks men’s team, as it has won three straight games to move into a tie for first place in the ACAC south division. The effort has also moved them to 10th in the CCAA national rankings, the first time the team has cracked the rankings this season.
A great effort by Jimmy Bukuru (third year, General Studies, Lethbridge) this past weekend has moved him into a tie for the ACAC scoring lead with eight goals. Bukuru scored all three Kodiaks markers in a 3-0 win at Olds on Saturday, and he added one more in a 2-1 win against previously unbeaten SAIT on Sunday. Bukuru’s efforts resulted in him being named both an ACAC and CCAA male athlete of the week.
The Kodiaks will face a stiff test against the Rattlers on Saturday, as Medicine Hat is just two points back of the Kodiaks, in a tie for third place in the south division. On Sunday, the Kodiaks will face the Lions for the second time this season, following a 7-0 Kodiaks win in Calgary earlier this month.
Games begin at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Results will be available on the ACAC website this weekend. Admission is free to all Kodiaks home soccer games.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Kodiaks (4-1) at Rattlers (2-2-1) – Noon Saturday at Medicine Hat College
Kodiaks (4-1) vs Lions (0-5) – Noon Sunday at Servus Sports Centre field
The Kodiaks are coming off a weekend of rollercoaster emotions, as the team beat previously undefeated Olds College 4-0 on Saturday, before losing their first game of the season, 2-0 against SAIT on Sunday. Still, the Kodiaks are an impressive 4-1 this season, good for second place in the ACAC south division. The team is just three points back of first-place Olds, and with the Broncos holding a game-in-hand and playing just once this weekend, a pair of wins for the Kodiaks would move them into a first-place tie.
The Kodiaks continue to make their mark in the national rankings, sitting 10th this week. The team has scored 14 goals through five games, and has done it on the strength of a balanced attack. Five different Kodiaks are tied for the team lead in scoring with two goals each, and nine different Kodiaks have found the back of the net this season.
Saturday’s game in Medicine Hat will be a tough test for the Kodiaks as the Rattlers are tied for third place and are looking to move up in the standings. Sunday’s home game will be the second meeting of the season with the Lions, following a 5-0 Lethbridge win in Calgary earlier this month.
Games begin at noon on both Saturday and Sunday. Results will be available on the ACAC website this weekend. Admission is free to all Kodiaks home soccer games.
ACAC Grand Prix #4 – Saturday at Confederation Park, Calgary – hosted by SAIT
It’s an important weekend for the Kodiaks cross country team as it gets a sneak peek at the course that will host the ACAC championships next month.
The Kodiaks are in Calgary for an ACAC Grand Prix event, hosted by the SAIT Trojans at Confederation Park. It is the third event of the year for the Kodiaks, and the second-last tune-up before the conference championships.
Last weekend, the Kodiaks pushed themselves by going to the United States to take part in the Montana State Classic in Bozeman. Facing NCAA competition, the Kodiaks performed well. Reigning Canadian college champion Sophia Nowicki proved her talent, as she cracked the top 20 to finish 19th, less than 50 seconds behind the podium finishers and ahead of many NCAA runners in the field of 55. The Kodiaks women’s team finished in sixth place.
The Kodiaks men’s team also placed sixth in the event. Connor Jackson set a new personal best as he cracked the top 50, finishing in 46th place.
Results will be available on the ACAC website.