The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens soccer teams are set to kick off a new season at home.
Both teams will host the Lethbridge Kodiaks in their opening games of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference’s 2021-22 season this Friday.
Leading up to the Queens’ game, which is 2 p.m. at RDP Main Field, the team went 2-1 in non-conference games.
“I expect that the game will be fun and intense, but we will give it our best and hopefully we will finish the job,” said Mahziar Peyrow, RDP Soccer general manager and Queens Soccer head coach.
In 2019-20, the Kodiaks (9-1-2) led the ACAC Women’s Soccer South Division with 29 points. The Queens (4-8-0) finished sixth in the south.
The Kings will play their first game of the six-game regular season against the Kodiaks at 4 p.m. RDP was undefeated over three exhibition games.
In the 2019-20 season, the Kodiacs won ACAC gold and the Kings earned silver. At the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Conference Association’s Men’s Soccer National Championship, the Kings finished sixth and the Kodiaks were eighth.
Gerald Grobmeier, Kings Soccer head coach, said it is “absolutely outstanding” to be back on the pitch.
“It’ll be a great test for us, and it’ll show us where we are at. I know the Kodiaks will be well coached and ready to go with high profile players,” said Grobmeier.
“Training is fine, but we do this to be on the pitch and battle. I love it. All the boys love it and this is why we play soccer.”
Fans are able to attend the both soccer games.
RDP Cross Country Running will compete at Running Room Grand Prix #1 North in Edmonton at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Kari Elliott, Cross County Running head coach, said she wants the student-athletes to use this event to learn about the level of competition they’re facing, learn how to race again and to test their fitness.
“Our team needs to focus on what we can control, which is training well and staying healthy,”said Elliott.
“We have been talking a bit about goals already, but for now, it is all about getting to work.”
There are three returning student-athletes from the 2019-20 season.
In non-conference action, Kings Basketball will host the Burman University Bobcats at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre Sunday at 3 p.m.
The exhibition game will not allow spectators due to ACAC COVID-19 protocols.
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