Kodiaks look to get back to a championship level

By Lethbridge Herald on September 8, 2023.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge College KodiaksÕ Sebastian Cano,in pink ,tries to dribble around Nikola Baljak during practice on Thursday.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks men’s soccer team are looking to get back to a championship  level of compete this  season after going through a season of  no medals and retooling in 2022.

“Obviously getting back to the level that we’re used to being at, right, (and) always competing for medals at championships” said head coach Sean Carey.

“Last year I felt like it was a bit of a retool a little bit. It wasn’t a rebuild, it was just putting some more tools in and around the guys. So a little bit we were quite young last year. It was definitely a very young team.”

Fifth-year Ben Knight has traded in his clipboard after last season as a coach for the team to come back to the pitch as a player this season.

“And to get Ben to come back and play his last year as well for us, I mean he’s going to be great for the young guys,” said Carey.

“Like he’s such a good coach as well. I mean we had him on the coaching staff last year and now he’s going to go out there and show it, right. And already in practices, when he starts doing his things, you can see the other guys looking like wow this guy’s another level and that’s where I want to get to because  he’s a  past Alberta player of the year. So to have somebody like him in your repertoire and he’s probably one of the fittest guys in our whole league right now and he’s  just going to bring another element for us.”

The Kodiaks have also brought in some quality first year players.

“I think this year is going to make a big difference for the 11 that we’re going to field off  at the start of the games and the depth is definitely there too,” he said.

The strength of the team will be its energy.

“I say that the energy, but we also have lots of quality,” said Carey.

“I think skill wise, probably our best 11 is right up there with the best 11 I’ve put on the field for quality. Like their passing, their technique, the technical abilities …  how they think the game and how they’re willing to learn, it’s right there with this group.”

Joel McLeod is in his second year with the Kodiaks and spoke about the focus through training.

“I think with some of the newer guys, I think that sometimes we find ourselves a little bit distracted,” said McLeod.

“But at the same time, I think some of the veteran players such as like I mentioned, Ben Knight and some of the guys, myself included, and Vincent Dyck … are really trying to lock in some of the younger guys and really get them focused. And we’re really buying into the mentality that we are really wanting to buy in this year and just gel as a group and get off to a hot start and keep it going throughout the season.”

McLeod thinks having  new additions such as Ryder Skolka and Nikola Baljak will be crucial for the Kodiaks to contend.

“Well, Ryder Skolka up top,” said McLeod.

“He’s been great in preseason and he’s been really  working hard and putting in extra work and so he’s going to be a really big addition.  As well as Nikola Baljak, he’s been crucial in the midfield. He’s been great coming out of Foothills Tier 1 I believe out of Calgary. He’s been awesome, he’s been awesome to be around. They’ve been awesome guys and I think a lot of the guys are really  appreciating the work that they’ve been putting in on the field and yeah we’re really excited to have them on the squad this year and they’re going to be awesome.”

McLeod thinks new player Jake Marshall is phenomenal as well.

The Kodiaks open the season  with two home games this weekend beginning today with Red Deer Polytechnic at 4 p.m. and Olds College tomorrow at 2 p.m.