MSOC | Kodiaks Thrash Trojans in Home Finale
Oct. 21, 2017 – In a game ripe with playoff implications, the Kodiaks thrashed the previously undefeated SAIT Trojans 4-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Playing through miserable windy conditions, a pair of goals from Sodiq Adekunle helped the Kodiaks knock off their south division counterparts, keeping the Kodiaks' first place hopes alive heading into the final day of the regular season.
Both sides maintained a great pace early, but the game shifted in the Kodiaks favour after a penalty shot in the 22nd minute. A handball was called on a Trojans defender, who knocked a Kodiaks shot down with his arm. Peter Ntignee made no mistake on the ensuing penalty shot, beating Trojans goalkeeper Kyle Greenley to give the Kodiaks a 1-0 lead.
Lethbridge would add to the lead just six minutes later on a beautiful goal from Adekunle. The Kodiaks midfielder perfectly headed in a cross from Keaton Craig, lobbing it just past Greenley for a 2-0 advantage.
The Kodiaks wasted no time in adding to their lead once the second half began, with Jimmy Bukuru scoring on a two-on-one just two minutes into the new half.
Adekunle salted the game away with a goal in the 54th minute, taking a nice cross-field pass from Ben Knight and drilling home his second of the game.
Wilson Ntignee earned the shutout in goal, after being forced into net after Kodiaks regular starting goalkeeper Kohl Wandyka was issued a red card in last weekend's game against Red Deer. Ntignee, who is third in ACAC scoring as a forward, made six saves on the day.
The Kodiaks also honoured fifth year senior Keaton Craig after the game, who played his final home game as a Kodiak. Craig was presented with a commemorative framed print and a Kodiaks jersey as a keepsake.
The Kodiaks will now face Olds on the road tomorrow, and will have a chance to pass SAIT for first place in the south division. Finishing first comes with a first round bye at next week's ACAC championship tournament, so the implications are huge for both teams. For the Kodiaks to take first, they will have to defeat the Broncos tomorrow and hope Medicine Hat beats SAIT.
Game time is set for 2 p.m. tomorrow afternoon in Olds.