ACAC Men's Soccer Championship Preview
by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips
For the second year in a row the Keyano Huskies and SAIT Trojans receive byes in the Alberta College Athletic Association (ACAC) Men's Soccer Championships.
In 2016, each advanced from the semi-finals to the gold medal match, the Huskies beating the Trojans 2-0 in overtime in defence of their 2015 ACAC men's soccer title which was preceded by a silver medal in 2014.
Including their 9 win 1 loss performance this fall, the Fort McMurray soccer side has compiled an impressive record of 34 wins 4 ties and only two defeats in the four ACAC regular seasons with 135 goals for and 24 goals against.
Their regular season defeats during this run were to archrival NAIT Ooks, a 2-1 loss October 21, 2017 and the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder 1-0 October 22, 2016.
Both the Ooks, the 2017 ACAC Men's Soccer Championship host school, and Thunder are back from the 2016 ACAC Championships as are the Medicine Hat Rattlers.
The only school not to return are the Lakeland College Rustlers with the Lethbridge Kodiaks the new kid on the block.
Following are thumb nail sketches of each team and quotes from head coaches.
All Games at Emerald Hills Sports Pavilion in Sherwood Park.
Friday, October 27, 2017
Game 1 12:00 PM
Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder vs. Lethbridge College Kodiaks
Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder
Head Coach: Ian Skitch
2017 Record: 5 wins 5 losses 20 goals for 18 goals against
ACAC Championships: 3
Top Scorers: Israel Olufuwa 5, Isaac Fota 3
"We can compete with any team in the league if we take care of things in our half of the pitch. (Key players are) israle Olfolou (forward), Jose Villanueva (defense) and Rene Nederby (midfield). (Of Lethbridge Kodiaks) it's a bit of a blind spot, so it will be interesting to see how they shape up and what sort of team they are and how that will impact us on any adjustments we have to make."
Lethbridge College Kodiaks
Head Coach: Sean Carey
2017 Record: 6 wins 1 loss 3 ties 23 goals for 10 goals against
ACAC Championships: 0
Top Scorers: Wilson Ntignee 7, Pete Ntignee 5
"We are looking pretty solid and the boys are moving the ball well. (Wilson Ntignee and Pete Ntignee) are the backbone of our attack and they work the ball well together and they have a lot of experienced guys around them. I think we are strong all the way through. We have a strong defence and the midfielders are tenacious and we are fast up top. We don't know a lot about (Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder) but talking to a couple of coaches from the north, they move the ball well and they have good speed, so we will have to keep an eye on that. We will let our team do their job and the boys will be quick to pick things up. We are looking for a tough test and that is what championship soccer is all about."
Game 2 2 p.m.
Medicine Hat College Rattlers vs. NAIT Ooks
Medicine Hat College Rattlers
Head Coach: Travis Hyde
2017 Record: 6 wins 3 losses 1 tie 19 goals for 11 goals against
ACAC Championships: 0
Top Scorers: Rodrigo Tavares 4, Jared Ursulan 4
"We have a lot of returning players from last year's team where we lost to NAIT in the (2016 ACAC Men's Soccer Championships quarter-final 3-2) and some of the guys are talking about that and want to redeem themselves. Our strength is that we have a lot of veterans and a team with a great attitude. The team is extremely healthy and we had the opportunity to sit some starters in our last game so those injuries and knocks are now good to go."
NAIT Ooks
Head Coach: Charles O'Toole
2017 Record: 9 wins 1 loss 25 goals for 5 goals against
ACAC Championships 10
Top Scorers: Ali Musse 8, Joseph Costouros 4
"Instead of playing on grass (NAIT soccer field) we are now playing on turf (at Emerald Hills Sports Pavilion in Sherwood Park). We will still have the home -field advantage in that the team doesn't have to stay in hotels or eat at restaurants and we will still have the NAIT fans supporting us. This year has been an improvement over our last three or four seasons. With the rebuilding of the team, it was nice to see the boys come quickly together. (Our strength) is the chemistry we have within the team and the comradery and the fact that the boys really work with each other."
Saturday, October 28, 2016
Game 3 12:00 PM
Winner game 1 vs. Keyano College Huskies
Keyano College Huskies
Head Coach: Murad Sukru
2017 Record: 9 wins 1 loss 30 goals for 8 goals against
ACAC Championships 2
Top Scorers: Rodrigo Koebsch 9, Pedro Bianchi 6
"Getting a bye is always beautiful. We get rested and we get to observe and watch Friday's game to see the team we will play Saturday. (As two-time defending ACAC men's soccer champion) It is a good thing. As a coach there is pressure but that is why we are here and for the players you have to deal with the pressure and overcome it. (Fifth-year players Rodrigo Wogel Koebsch and Pedro Bianchi) are taking this seriously, as is everyone else, realizing that this may be their last few games. Losing to NAIT Ooks (a 2-1 loss October 21, 2017) on the weekend was a wake-up call for us and they have that hunger back again."
Game 4 2:00 PM
Winner game 2 vs. SAIT Trojans
SAIT Trojans
Head Coach: Grant Stevens (403) 288-1764
2017 Record: 8 wins 1 loss 1 tie 31 goals for 9 goals against
ACAC Championships 1
Top Scorers: William Akio 12, Dean Northover 6
"It (bye) could be good or it could be advantageous. It depends who the competition is. William Akio is extremely important to us as he is one of our four strikers. The midfielders fielding the ball to their teammates is just as important. We have a few nagging injuries. The season is so short and it is extremely tight and aggressive but I am sure by the time we play next Saturday, we should be good. This year the teamwork was pure teamwork. Everybody contributed and everyone was giving 130% in practices and games."