Onwuekwe scores, but Kodiaks defeat Kings in final home game

Brent Forster - RDC

Following the Queens, the Red Deer College Kings Soccer team hit RDC Field to face the Lethbridge College Kodiaks in their final home conference game of the season. After the Kodiaks struck twice in the opening half, the Kings pulled within a goal in the latter half. Lethbridge College extended their lead off a penalty kick and won 3-1.

Talon Grenier was the starting goalkeeper for the Kings while Kohl Wandyka was at the opposite end of the pitch for the Kodiaks.

In the 3rd minute, Wilson Ntignee, of the Kodiaks, opened the scoring. Peter Ntignee extended the Kodiaks' lead by a pair in the 43rd minute. Grenier got injured late in the 1st half and Joao Victor Bizerra Cavalcante took over in the Kings' net in the 2nd half.

Nonso Onwuekwe pulled the Kings within a goal in the 59th minute. The third-year Bachelor of Science (Nursing) student raced after a ball kicked ahead into the Kodiaks' zone, and as Wandyka came out to challenge, Onwuekwe scored low to the right side of the net in the 59th minute. Antonio Suhalj picked up the assist. On a penalty kick, Wilson Ntignee scored low to the left side to give Lethbridge College a 3-1 lead in the 69th minute. The RDC Kings pressed late, were stopped on a penalty kick, and couldn't close the gap.

Kings Soccer Head Coach Wade Groenewgen had a banged up squad and noticed improvement as the game progressed. "We didn't start off very well. They guys got better and more invested as the game went on. We took a high risk approach today. Some parts paid off and other parts didn't," said Groenewegen. "The guys brought a great effort, especially in the second half. They have really responded to what we are trying to teach them to do and they have grown tactically. We haven't scored enough but it was nice to break that goose egg today." 

As the season winds down, some thoughts shift to next year. "We are looking at having 16-18 returning student-athletes. I have the job of recruiting and finding a few key players to get us over the hump next season," said Groenewegen. "We've got a close team and it's a positive situation for someone new to come in and be a part of a really good group."

Nonso Onwuekwe was selected as the Kings player-of-the-game. William Ntignee received the honour for the Kodiaks.

After the game, a presentation was made to the student-athletes who are not returning next season. Nathan Bergeson, Yenner Teah and Bryce Vleeming will be transferring to the University of Alberta. Tanner Steenbergen is finishing his education at RDC and is planning on moving on. 

The RDC Kings (1-6-2) will compete against the Lakeland College Rustlers (1-6-2) on Saturday, October 21 at 4:00 p.m.