2022-23 ACAC Men's Soccer Rookies of the Year
Edmonton, AB (October 27, 2022) –
North Rookie of the Year:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce James Bartha of the Keyano Huskies Men’s Soccer team has been selected as the 2022-23 ACAC Men’s Soccer North Division Rookie of the Year.
Bartha made a scintillating impact on the Huskies and the ACAC’s North Division in his rookie season, posting 16 goals and four assists. Starting 11 of his team’s 12 games this season, Bartha recorded a hat trick in his ACAC debut on September 10.
He finished the regular season with four multi-goal games, capped off by a five-goal performance in his team’s regular season finale against the Portage College Voyageurs on October 23, 2022. He finished second in scoring for the North Division and entire conference, one off the leading total.
Bartha’s 16 goals are the most scored by a player from the Keyano Huskies Men’s Soccer team in aa single outdoor season.
“James has brought a ton of energy to our program since day one,” Head Coach Niels Slotboom said. “As a player, he is relentless and an absolute nightmare to play against. Besides his natural ability on the field, he has a drive to constantly improve and soaks up all the information around him.
“As a coach you can't ask for much more and as a rookie, he has already accomplished a lot. I’m excited to see the constant development over the years to come. With his drive and natural ability, the sky is the limit for James.”
The product of Chilliwack, B.C. is in his first year of eligibility and is studying Business Management.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2022 ACAC Men’s Soccer Championship hosted by Lethbridge College in Lethbridge, Alta.
South Rookie of the Year:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Joel McLeod of the Lethbridge College Kodiaks has been selected as the 2022-23 ACAC Men’s South Division Rookie of the Year.
McLeod earned the Kodiaks Athlete of the week nomination and the Kodiaks Athlete of the Month recognition in September for his leadership and impact with the Kodiaks. Although not being recognized in the soccer statistics for the season, McLeod lead the way in helping shut down some of the ACAC south’s strongest offensive leaders.
“Joel has been a tower of strength on the Kodiaks defence this year and has shown amazing leadership skills for a player in his first year as a ACAC student athlete and Kodiak.” says Kodiaks head coach Sean Carey.
“What an amazing honor for Joel to achieve in his first year as a Kodiak. He represents what Kodiaks Athletics and Lethbridge College stands for!” says Todd Caughlin, Manager of Kodiaks Athletics.
McLeod is a first year General Business student athlete hailing from Medicine Hat, Alberta.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2022 ACAC Men’s Championship hosted by Lethbridge College in Raymond, Alberta.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, ACAC
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Jonathan Lambert, Keyano College
Director, Athletics & Recreation
780-791-4852
Jonathan.Lambert@keyano.ca
Todd Caughlin, Lethbridge College
Manager, Athletics
403-382-6912
todd.caughlin@lethbridgecollege.ca
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