Weekend recap: Competition from the pitch to the park

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks had a very busy weekend of competition.

On Friday, the Kodiaks soccer teams hosted the top-ranked SAIT Trojans at Comet Stadium in Raymond, Alta. – the venue for next month’s Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championships. Unfortunately, it was a difficult battle for both Kodiaks teams and they came up short.

On Saturday, the Kodiaks cross-country and indoor track teams hosted the Run for the Pumpkin community event and the second ACAC Running Room Grand Prix at Nicholas Sheran Park. Both men’s and women’s teams had good showings despite the extreme heat.

Lastly on Sunday, the Kodiaks women’s soccer team competed against the University of Alberta – Augustana in Camrose. They finished the weekend on a high note as they secured a 2-1 win.

Sept. 19 WSOC | Kodiaks 0 vs SAIT Trojans 1

The Kodiaks women’s soccer team played a gritty match against SAIT, where both teams struggled to find a breakthrough despite trading quality chances. Lethbridge came close when Khloe Jankowiak (third year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge) hit the crossbar late in the first half. On the other end of the field, the Kodiaks’ defence – led by Brittney Brown (third year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) – held firm against SAIT’s pressure. The physical tone was set early with frequent fouls on both sides. Despite a first half with a lot of chances, the teams went into halftime tied 0–0.

SAIT found a breakthrough early in the second half as they capitalized on a chance in the 48th minute to give them a 1–0 lead. The Kodiaks pressed for an equalizer, with efforts from Megan Morrison (fifth year, Bachelor of Nursing, Medicine Hat) and Alexis Bradford (fourth year, Open Studies, Abbotsford, B.C.) forcing saves from SAIT’s keeper, while Kiara Jankowiak (third year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) responded with a strong second half, tallying five saves to keep Lethbridge within reach. Physicality remained high, with more fouls and yellow cards exchanged, but despite late offensive pushes, including multiple shots, the Kodiaks couldn’t break through, and they fell 1–0 in a tightly contested matchup.

Players of the Match:

LPK: #12 Brittney Brown

SAIT: #6 Megan Hockley

Sept. 21 WSOC | Kodiaks 2 at UAA Vikings 1

The Kodiaks women’s soccer team earned a hard-fought 2–1 road win over the University of Alberta – Augustana, overcoming an early setback to remain unbeaten in conference play. Augustana struck first in the 2nd minute, but Lethbridge Polytechnic responded quickly, as Kenley Matishak (third year, Practical Nurse, Calgary) netted the equalizer unassisted in the 6th minute. The Kodiaks dominated possession through the first half, outshooting Augustana 5–0, though the score remained 1–1 at the break.

In the second half, Lethbridge continued to press and was rewarded in the 58th minute when Matishak scored her second of the game, this time assisted by Hannah Bradford (second year, General Arts and Science, Abbotsford, B.C.). Kiara Jankowiak was outstanding in goal, making five saves to keep the Vikings at bay and preserve the win. The Kodiaks finished with nine shots - five on target – while keeping Augustana to just one shot on goal all game. With the win, Lethbridge Polytechnic improves to 3–2–0 on the season.

Players of the Match:

LPK: #22 Kenley Matishak

UAA: #19 Sophie Robertson 

Sept. 19 MSOC | Kodiaks 1 vs SAIT Trojans 4

The Kodiaks men’s soccer team opened with a competitive first half against a high-pressure SAIT squad who came out firing early. Lethbridge’s goalkeeper Adam Krisko (second year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) was sharp, making five first-half saves, including a critical stop in the 13th minute. SAIT was able to break through in the 30th minute and doubled the lead just before halftime. Lethbridge found a lifeline moments later when Orien Domin (first year, Bachelor of Nursing, Sparwood, B.C.) scored in added time off an assist from Alex Moroszczuk (second year, Electrician Apprenticeship, Edmonton), cutting the deficit to 2–1 heading into the break.

Despite a resilient effort from the Kodiaks in the second half, SAIT maintained control of the match. The Trojans extended their lead in the second half by picking up two more goals. The Kodiaks created a few late chances, most notably a header from Ethan McClelland (fourth year, Exercise Science, Brooks, Alta.), but couldn’t close the gap. In a physical contest marked by two yellow cards to SAIT, the Kodiaks ultimately fell 4–1 in a hard-fought match.

Players of the Match:

LPK: #2 Lazlo Lorenzo
SAIT: #17 Esrom Yohannes 

Sept. 20 XC | ACAC Running Room Grand Prix #2

The course featured a two-kilometre loop made entirely of grass with a few rolling hills, offering a tough but fair challenge for athletes representing eight schools across the conference. Teams in attendance included The King’s University Eagles, Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks, Medicine Hat College Rattlers, SAIT Trojans, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens, St. Mary’s University Lightning, the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings and Ambrose University Lions. 

The Kodiaks women’s team finished fourth overall. Katrina Michel (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Okotoks) was the top runner for the women’s team, finishing in eighth place and running six kilometres in 28:41.

The men’s team’s second overall finish was led by Ethan Grasmeyer (third year, Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science, Smithers, B.C.) who finished in fourth place, running the eight-kilometre race in 30:47. 

Sept. 20 XC | Run for the Pumpkin

Organized by the Kodiaks cross-country and indoor track teams, the Run for the Pumpkin community event at Nicholas Sheran Park welcomed 489 participants and lots of pumpkins were handed out.

High school competitors ran in a four-kilometre race. Team awards were given to the top male team and top female team, with scores determined by their top four runners in each category.

The Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Rams won the female team category and the Winston Churchill High School Bulldogs won the male category.

All individual results from the Run for the Pumpkin event can be found through RaceProTiming.

All photos from the Run for the Pumpkin event can be found here.