Coaldale’s Van Maanen adds size to Kodiaks soccer team

By Lethbridge Herald on July 7, 2021.

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks men’s soccer team just got a little bigger.

On Tuesday, the Kodiaks announced the signing of Coaldale product Ryley Van Maanen with the 2021 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference season getting back on the field this fall after the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Van Maanen is a centre forward who honed his skills in the Coaldale Thunder system before spending last year with Lethbridge Football Club and the Vancouver Whitecaps ‘Caps 2 College Academy program.

Kodiaks head coach Sean Carey said Van Maanen’s height advantage will give the Kodiaks offense additional flexibility.

“Ryley is going to be one of the tallest guys in our whole league,” said Carey in a statement. “He’s obviously great in the air and with his footwork. He’s going to be a good target player for us if we want to change the system we want to play.”

Van Maanen joins the Kodiaks as they get ready to defend their 2019 ACAC championship title.

“I’m pretty excited to play for the college and I want to win championships,” he said in a statement. “I’m wanting to get some playing time this fall, so I’m going to work hard and hopefully get to it.

“I think I’m a good team player. I’m a good passer so I think I’ll fit into the college system pretty well. I’m just looking forward to playing with the guys, having some fun and working hard.”

The ACAC has been granted approval to draft schedules and commence preparations for the delivery of a 2021-22 post-secondary athletics season.

Further information will be announced as it becomes available.

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