2023 ACAC Women's Soccer Rookies of the Year
Edmonton, AB (October 24, 2023) –
North Female Rookie of the Year | DARIAN PLUHATOR | Lakeland Rustlers:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is delighted to announce Darian Pluhator of the Lakeland Rustlers as the recipient of the 2023-24 ACAC Women's North Rookie of the Year award.
The Lakeland Rustlers' first-year fullback has been honored as the ACAC North Division Women's Soccer Rookie of the Year. Hailing from Saskatoon, Pluhator swiftly established herself as a key player on the front line for the Rustlers, sharing the team lead in goals with four and contributing two assists.
Head Coach, Doyle Church, expressed his satisfaction with her performance right from the start of the season. "She was a big attacking threat for us early in the season and once the goals started coming, it was no surprise she was involved,” he said. “She's come up with the right movement and runs at the right time for us."
Church also highlighted Pluhator's remarkable progress since training camp and expressed confidence in her continued development during the winter. "She has showed maturity and a good work ethic, I fully expect her to build upon this season heading into Futsal."
Pluhator is enrolled in Lakeland's University Transfer program.
This prestigious accolade will be formally celebrated at the 2023 ACAC Women's Soccer Championship, hosted by NAIT, TKU, and CUE in Edmonton, Alberta. The Rookie of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Alberta Soccer.
South Female Rookie of the Year | KYRA PIEKEMA | Lethbridge Kodiaks:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) proudly announces Kyra Piekema of the Lethbridge Kodiaks as the recipient of the 2023-24 ACAC Women's Soccer South Division Rookie of the Year.
Piekema is enjoying an exceptional rookie season. In the ACAC overall statistics at the close of the regular season, Kyra stands out as the 5th highest scorer, 25th in assists, and 6th in total points. Her remarkable performance has earned her the Kodiaks Student Athlete of the Week recognition once, and she's been selected as the ACAC Player of the Match on two separate occasions.
“Kyra has had an amazing impact on the league in her first season. She’s made the striker position her own and once she got the opportunity to start, she ran with it and was instrumental in the Kodiak’s success this season,” says Sean Carey, Head Coach of the Kodiaks women’s team.
“As competitive as the ACAC South division of women’s soccer is, to earn this recognition is an incredible honor and well deserved on Kyra’s part!” says Todd Caughlin, Kodiaks Athletics Director.
Piekema is a first year General Studies student athlete hailing from Lethbridge, AB.
This prestigious accolade will be formally acknowledged at the 2023 ACAC Women's Soccer Championship, hosted by NAIT, TKU, and Concordia in Edmonton, Alberta. The Rookie of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Alberta Soccer.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Blacquiere, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca