MSOC | Kodiaks Dig Deep for 2-1 Win Over Lakeland
Recap provided by Lethbridge College Kodiaks sports information.
Sept 10, 2017 – In what evolved into a chippy affair between two ACAC south division rivals, the Kodiaks and Rustlers kicked off their second games of the season with an action-packed battle at the Servus Centre outdoor field on Sunday.
The two teams battled neck and neck throughout the majority of the first half, trading goals in the later stages of play. The Kodiaks took the lead first at the 30' mark when Jimmy Bukuru headed home a ball in front of the net off a free kick from Peter Ntignee. It was the second goal in as many games for Bukuru, a speedy left wing from Lethbridge, Alberta.
It didn't take long for the Rustlers to answer, however. A hand ball in the box by the Kodiaks Emmanuel Ippa three minutes later resulted in a penalty kick, and Lakeland's Mackenzie Longpre made no mistake. He buried the ball into the left side of the net past Kodiaks keeper Kohl Wandyka to knot the score at one.
Both goalkeepers were on their game in the first half despite letting in a goal apiece. Wandyka stopped five shots in the half, while Rustlers goalkeeper Zach Wagner faced 11 shots and kept his team in the game.
In a back and forth second half, it was the Kodiaks who were able to nab the only goal and take the win. Brayden Jetten, brother of current Kodiaks MBB assistant coach Taylor Jetten, snuck around the back post and buried his first goal of the season at the 61' mark to break the deadlock.
The Kodiaks were forced to play a man down for the remaining ten minutes of action after Tyler Bolen received a second yellow card in the 86th minute. Lethbridge was able to bear down with terrific defensive composure to secure the win, much to the delight of Kodiaks head coach Sean Carey.
"We showed a lot of character there. A lot of battle and a lot of heart, the boys want it" beamed Carey after the game, which moves his Kodiaks to 2-0-0.
"They wanted that game today and they did everything in their power to make it happen. Kohl came up with a couple big saves at the end and that's what you want from your keeper, those timely saves. Six points on the weekend, can't get better than that."
When asked about Jetten's performance, Carey says that he's been impressed with how the midfielder is adjusting back into play after a period away from the game, and only expects him to get better.
"Brayden brings some experience and some calmness" says Carey. "He's been off for a couple years so now he's getting his feet back under him for some competitive games. He brings an element of calmness, battling in the midfield, and when he got the opportunity he put away a little sneaky goal there. But with his work ethic, he deserved that goal."
Kodiaks forward Jimmy Bukuru was happy to pick up a six-point weekend, and is already looking ahead to the challenge of next weekend when his club takes on Medicine Hat and SAIT.
"We played very well, we started great and kind of slowed down towards halftime but we picked it back up" said Bukuru, who moved into a tie for third place in ACAC scoring. "I thought the first goal really pushed us up and we played harder and harder throughout the game. and that's what got us the win."
"It's very important to get the six points this weekend and it's going to give us strength heading into the next weekend.
With slick ball handling and a non-stop attack down the wings, the Kodiaks new look offensive style is centered on raw speed. For Bukuru, it's been a treat to play with players who possess similar skill sets, including the likes of Wilson and Peter Ntignee and Emmanuel Ipaa.
"It really helps to play with athletes who can play just like you, who can run" says Bukuru. "It really does help with the speed and how skillful they are, and it just makes everything easier."
"I'm really happy to be here this season."
With the win, the Kodiaks completed a six-point weekend and move to 2-0-0, while the Rustlers fall to 0-1-1.
Players of the Game:
Kodiaks – #GK Kohl Wandyka
Rustlers – #GK Zach Wagner