Kodiaks Women’s Soccer recognized with ACAC awards after historic 2023 season

Lethbridge College

The Kodiaks women’s soccer team brought in both the South Division Rookie and Coach of the year honours as well as having four players named to the all-conference team, including Vauxhall’s Raeleen Vanden Dungen.

The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) announced its annual soccer awards for the 2023-24 season Oct. 24.

Lethbridge College Kodiaks head coach Sean Carey was named the ACAC Women’s Soccer South Division Coach of the Year. This is the third time that Carey, who has been at the helm of both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Lethbridge College for seven years, has earned this prestigious honour.

Carey was recognized for leading the women’s team to its first regular season title and best regular season record of 11-1 since the program’s inaugural year in 1994.

“Sean and his staff have built the Kodiaks Soccer program into a perennial contender and the commitment and time that takes is amazing to watch,” says Todd Caughlin, Kodiaks Athletics Director. “The fact that Sean has earned this honor three times in his seven-year tenure supports what the program accomplishes year in and out! We are very proud of Sean and his staff for earning this recognition!”

 Four members of the Kodiaks women’s soccer team were named to the ACAC All-Conference team. Kenley Matishak (second year, Academic Upgrading, Calgary), Nikki Stahl (fifth year, Unit Clerk, Lethbridge), Raeleen Vanden Dungen (fifth year, Early Childhood Education, Vauxhall) and Shelby Bach (fourth year, Early Childhood Education, Medicine Hat) were all voted to the 11-player team by the conference’s head coaches.

 Vanden Dungen, who transferred from the University of Lethbridge, is now in her fifth and last year as a student-athlete. Her unwavering consistency throughout the season solidifies her status as a seasoned player for the Kodiaks. She concluded the regular season with a record of 10 goals and five assists, securing the second spot in the conference for shots on goal.

 The honourees will be recognized during the 2023 ACAC Women’s Soccer Championship in Edmonton this weekend.

The Kodiaks have an automatic bye into the semi-final round since the team finished first in the south. They will play at 12:30 p.m. Friday against the winner of Red Deer Polytechnic Queens and Keyano College Huskies quarterfinal match.

The Kodiaks men’s soccer team will face the NAIT Ooks, who finished second in the ACAC North Division, in the quarterfinal match at 5:30 p.m. today.

 You can read more on the ACAC soccer awards and follow along with the championships at https://acac.ab.ca/. All ACAC championship games can be streamed live on acactv.

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