Local goalkeeper Taylor McLaren commits to Kodiaks women’s soccer program

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks women’s soccer team has secured a key addition in net, announcing the commitment of Lethbridge goalkeeper Taylor McLaren for the upcoming season.

A graduate of Winston Churchill High School and a longtime member of the Lethbridge Football Club, McLaren will stay close to home as she begins her post-secondary career in the Business Administration program this fall.

For McLaren, the decision to join the Kodiaks came after an extended period of training with the squad and getting a firsthand look at the program’s culture under head coach Mike Racz. 

“The process felt really comfortable and straightforward,” says McLaren. “I was able to train with the team quite a bit and experience what the environment was like. Getting that exposure helped me feel confident about my decision.”

Her familiarity with the program developed largely through her involvement with Lethbridge FC, which has strong ties to the Kodiaks. McLaren also participated in sessions connected to the Caps to College initiative, allowing her to work directly with the post-secondary group before officially committing. 

“Most of my opportunities to train came through LFC, and then through those sessions with the Kodiaks,” she says. “It was great to be able to step into that setting and see the expectations and intensity up close.” 

Racz says McLaren has been on the program’s radar for some time and believes her skill set aligns well with the Kodiaks’ style of play.

“Taylor is a high-quality shot stopper who shows strong positioning and composure in goal,” says Racz. “She’s also comfortable with the ball at her feet, which is important for us in building out from the back and transitioning quickly. She’s already trained with our group and demonstrated that she fits our playing style and team culture.”

Racz adds that he expects McLaren to continue progressing in a competitive goalkeeper environment.

“Through our program, she’ll have the opportunity to further develop her technical abilities, decision making and communication with the defensive unit,” he says. “We’ve built a strong and supportive culture among our goalkeepers, and I expect Taylor to contribute to that and help elevate the level of competition within the group.”

McLaren says she is looking forward to the challenge of competing alongside new teammates after spending much of her youth career with the same core group of players. 

“I’ve grown up playing with many of the same girls, so this is a big step,” she says. “I’m excited to meet new teammates, build new connections and push myself in a different environment.” 

She also expressed gratitude to her family, including her mom, dad and sister, for their ongoing support throughout her soccer journey. 

With a strong local background and early exposure to the collegiate environment, McLaren is poised to make a smooth transition as she joins the Kodiaks this fall.