Local backliner Riley Van Zeggelaar signs with Kodiaks men’s soccer program

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks men’s soccer team hopes to strengthen their defense strategy with the commitment of local backliner Riley Van Zeggelaar for the upcoming season. 

Van Zeggelaar gives the Kodiaks some flexibility with the ability of playing multiple positions on the back row including centrally or out on the flanks. 

The soon-to-be Catholic Central High graduate and product of the Lethbridge Football Club will be the attending the Business Administration-Accounting program in the fall. 

Van Zeggelaar says he wanted to join the Kodiaks as many of the players are former teammates and he wanted to stay in touch with his friends while attending post-secondary.  

“I thought they were good people and teammates, so I just wanted to stay here.”

He reached out to Kodiaks Head Coach Michael Racz in 2025, sharing interest in becoming a Kodiak, and was encouraged to attend some of their practices.

“I started going to some practices and then Coach Racz said I’d be a good part of the team.”  

Van Zeggelaar also has some national and international tournament experience under his belt from his club years as his team competed in the Seattle Showcase in 2024, the Vancouver Showcase in 2024 and 2025 and won bronze at the Halifax Youth Cup last year. 

Racz says the Kodiaks are focused on strengthening their backline after conceding 27 goals last season and has faith Van Zeggelaar will step up to the challenge, given his composure under pressure. 

“He will be relied on to bring stability and contribute to our overall defensive performance.”

Additionally, Van Zeggelaar’s height and strength will be assets to his defensive presence as he develops his defensive IQ and Coach Racz says he is excited to see the impact he will have on the Kodiaks soccer program. 

“The competitive training environment will push him to elevate his defensive decision-making, improve his ability to read the game and strengthen his overall impact within a structured defensive system.”

Van Zeggelaar thanks his parents for helping him get to where he is today.