Weekend Recap: Collegiate sports are back in action

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks officially began their regular season competition with multiple events this past weekend.

On Saturday, the Kodiaks cross-country team raced in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference’s (ACAC) first Grand Prix of the season hosted by Concordia University of Edmonton and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Kodiaks soccer had a busy weekend at home hosting both the Olds College (OC) Broncos, where both Kodiaks teams won, and Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Kings and Queens where the women’s team lost a close game and the men’s team finished in a tie.

Sept. 6 XC | ACAC Grand Prix #1

The Kodiaks came home with strong results, even with the small group of runners that travelled Edmonton.

The women’s team just missed the podium, finishing fourth overall. Kate Block (third year, Business Administration – Management, Waldheim, Sask.) was the women’s team’s top runner, finishing in ninth place and running six kilometres in 26:40.

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 second place, running the eight km race in 29:43.

The Kodiaks cross-country team is set to host the next Running Room Grand Prix event Saturday, Sept. 20 following the community event of Run for the Pumpkin. To register and learn more about this fun run, visit https://www.racepro.ca/runforthepumpkin/.

Sept. 6 WSOC | Kodiaks 4 vs OC Broncos 0

The Kodiaks women’s soccer team dominated the first half with aggressive attacking plays and numerous corner kicks. Despite early pressure, it wasn't until the 22nd minute that Abigail Leusink (third year, Open Studies, Picture Butte) opened the scoring with a goal assisted by Megan Morrison (fifth year, Bachelor of Nursing, Medicine Hat). Lethbridge continued to press with multiple shots on goal and steady possession, while the Broncos struggled to find rhythm, managing only a few off-target attempts. Just before halftime, Morrison extended the lead with a well-finished goal assisted by Khloe Jankowiak (third year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge), sending Lethbridge into the break, up 2–0 and firmly in control.

The pressure from the Kodiaks continued in the second half. The Kodiaks were creating chances off corner kicks and capitalizing on Olds College’s defensive lapses. Morrison scored her second goal of the match in the 61st minute, again assisted by Jankowiak, who followed up just minutes later with a goal of her own, bringing the score to 4–0. Olds College made several substitutions to shift momentum, but they remained on the defensive for the majority of the rest of the match.

Players of the Game:

LPK: #3 Megan Morrison

OC: #13 Tayla Trudzik

Sept. 6 MSOC | Kodiaks 4 vs OC Broncos 1

The Kodiaks controlled much of the first half, asserting early offensive pressure and capitalizing on key opportunities. After a series of fouls and set pieces, they broke through in the 16th minute with Moe Huska (first year, General Arts and Science - Kinesiology Pathway, Cranbrook, B.C.) scoring his first goal of the season off an assist from Orien Domin (first year, Bachelor of Nursing, Sparwood, B.C.). Despite a resilient effort by the Broncos goalkeeper, the Kodiaks doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Cristobal Jacob Pare (first year, Civil Engineering Technology, Nelson, B.C.) found the back of the net. Olds struggled to generate sustained attacking chances and entered halftime trailing 2-0.

Olds College came out with renewed energy and quickly responded in the 49th minute with a goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1. However, the Kodiaks regained momentum just over 15 minutes later when Jaxon Uhl (fourth year, Business Administration – Management, Lethbridge) converted a penalty kick to extend the lead. Despite Olds’ efforts to claw back, Lethbridge maintained control through disciplined play and frequent corner kicks. In the 90th minute, Alex Moroszczuk (second year, Electrician Apprenticeship, Edmonton) sealed the victory with a late goal assisted by Robert McKinstry (second year, Business Administration – Management, Lethbridge), securing a convincing 4-1 win for Lethbridge Polytechnic.

Players of the Game:

LPK: #6 Moe Huska

OC: #11 Teagan Dadey

Sept. 7 WSOC | Kodiaks 1 vs RDP Queens 2

In a tightly contested first half, the Kodiaks held their own against a strong Red Deer Polytechnic side. The Kodiaks came out pressing with Kenley Matishak (third year, Practical Nurse, Calgary) and Morrison generating early chances, but Red Deer's goalkeeper stood tall. Despite multiple saves by Kiara Jankowiak (third year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) on the other end, including a fingertip stop on a shot that hit the crossbar, the Queens’ pressure eventually broke through in the final moments of the half. Olivia Lundell scored just before the whistle, giving Red Deer a 1–0 lead at halftime.

The Kodiaks came back with some new energy in the second half, earning a penalty in the 66th minute that Khloe Jankowiak converted to level the match 1–1. Lethbridge continued to battle hard, with the midfield pushing the pace and the defense absorbing Red Deer’s pressure. Goalie Kiara Jankowiak had a standout performance with multiple key saves to keep the game within reach. However, in the 85th minute, Red Deer was awarded a penalty of their own, which Lundell converted to regain the lead. Despite a late push and a few chances in the dying minutes, the Kodiaks were unable to find an equalizer, falling 2–1 at the end of the match.

Players of the Game:

LPK: #1 Kiara Jankowiak

RDP: #8 Olivia Lundell

Sept. 7 MSOC | Kodiaks 1 vs RDP Kings 1

The first half between the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks and Red Deer Polytechnic Kings was a tense, physical game marked by frequent fouls from both sides and no goals. Red Deer earned multiple corner kicks while Lethbridge responded with several chances of their own including Moroszczuk and Noah Young (first year, Environmental Assessment and Restoration, Lethbridge) each narrowly missing the target. The Kings threatened late in the half, forcing Lethbridge goalkeeper Adam Krisko (second year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) into a trio of crucial saves, including back-to-back stops just before halftime. The Kodiaks nearly struck just before the whistle with Jordan Morello (fourth year, Renewable Resource Management, Nelson, B.C.) hitting the crossbar, but the first 45 minutes ended scoreless.

The pace ramped up quickly in the second half as Lethbridge Polytechnic broke through in the 50th minute with a goal from Moroszczuk. The Kings were quick to respond as just three minutes later, they scored to level the match at 1-1. As the half progressed, the Kodiaks continued to apply pressure with a barrage of shots and corners. Despite late substitutions and a final push from both sides, including more saves from both goalies, neither team could find a winner, and the match ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.

Players of the Game:

LPK: #5 Jordan Morello

RDP: #7 Korben Skjolde

On Sunday, the Kodiaks soccer teams will travel down Highway 3 to match up against the Medicine Hat Rattlers. Games are at noon and 2:15 p.m.