Proper attitude and clinical efforts to help Kodiaks men’s soccer this season

By Lethbridge Herald on September 4, 2024.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks men’s soccer team  are set to kick into a new season on Saturday with many factors playing a role in their success in this ACAC season.

“I think this year the success  is going to come from the attitude,” said Michael Racz, Kodiaks assistant coach.

“I think we have the technical ability to have success this year. I think it’s us getting our heads right and competing against teams that are  going to come here and battle with us. Like if we want to win the league, I think it’s the mentality of who’s going to want it more because we have the ability to do it.”

The Kodiaks will use both the smaller and bigger players effectively on the field.

“Ryder (Skolka) up top is on the bigger side and he’s I think put in work this summer to be effective up top there,” said Racz.

“Being smaller is not necessarily the worst thing because we’re going to be quick and I think that  there’s going to be a lot of teams (that) are surprised with the pace  that we  have, particularly on our wings.”

LP have some older guys coming back mixed in with the new recruits.

Wilson Ntignee is returning after a couple of years away.

“He’s a game changer for us,” said Racz.

Racz thinks recruits like local Bronson Schlichter will score goals for the Kodiaks.

“He’s quick, so he’s going to do somethings on the outside,” said Racz.

Racz sees a good fullback option being Deacon Stang who will log a lot of minutes for the Kodiaks.

LP is feeling good about this year’s prospects.

“We’ve got some really good recruits that I think are going to play some major roles for us this year,” said Racz.

“This year I think what’s going to take us all the way is being clinical in the final third,” said second-year Jacob Marshall.

Marshall sees the Kodiaks being clinical by putting more balls on net, attacking balls and scoring more.

Marshall sees the Kodiaks being a hard working team.

“Just so much work ethic,” said Marshall.

“Every guy’s willing to win the  ball. (If) we lose the ball, everyone’s willing to get the ball back.”

LP opens the season at Ambrose University on Saturday before returning home on Sunday for their home opener against SAIT at 2 p.m.