However, both the men’s and women’s teams agree great coaching has played a large role in a season where the men finished first in their division and the women placed second in theirs.
It’s particularly high praise considering the teams are sharing a head coach for the first time in school history.
Mike Racz is in his fourth season as head coach of the women Kodiaks, and added the men’s team responsibilities before the season began.
“I got lucky,” said Racz. “I have a good group of players and I have a good coaching staff and it makes things easy for me.”
Over the past three seasons Racz made major inroads with the women’s program. In 2012, he took over a team which had won just nine games in five years prior to his arrival. In 2013, he was named ACAC south division coach of the year. And, in 2014 he led them to playoffs for just the third time in team history.
However, adding the men’s responsibilities left his women’s team feeling a little uncertain.
“As selfish as it is, we were used to having them all just with us, right?” said Kodiaks veteran midfielder Taylor Rypien. “So, I think it was a huge adjustment for the girls and a learning experience for both parties.”
The concerns disappeared as the wins added up. The Kodiak women lost just once in 10 regular season games. The men also lost just once, ending the season ranked 11th in the Canadian college rankings.
Racz has surrounded himself with very good soccer players, however, he says it’s the attitude of players he recruits which has led to the resurgence.
“Just looking for people who enjoy the game and enjoy playing it,” said Racz. “I think when you have people who have played in the past and who have a love for the game, then it becomes easy to coach.”
Both Kodiak clubs are in the ACAC provincial championships this weekend.
The Kodiak women (5-1-4) face Grande Prairie in a quarterfinal Friday at 12:00 p.m. in Grande Prairie.
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