RDP Kings down Kodiaks in home opener

The last time the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Soccer team faced the Lethbridge College Kodiaks in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) competition was at the conference championship nearly two years ago. The Kodiaks won ACAC gold, but a lot has changed since October 27, 2019, with new student-athletes and retooled rosters for the ACAC 2021/2022 season.

On Friday afternoon, Kings held a 3-0 lead at the half and eventually capped off a 5-1 home victory at Red Deer Polytechnic. 

The home team was rewarded in the 24th minute. Third-year forward Pedro Humberto Mourao Neto converted a corner kick from Adjin Sarcevic past Kodiaks keeper Ethan Demers.

In the 43rd minute, Red Deer Polytechnic added to their lead. Pedro Humberto Mourao Neto was awarded a penalty kick and the Kinesiology Fitness and Health student found open space in the lower right corner.

Then as the half was expiring, Gabriel Fleury de Queiroz, a third-year RDP forward from Brazil, sent a penalty kick past Demers in a similar spot as Neto.

After Jesus Amaris pushed the Kings ahead 4-0, Easton Beaulieu put the Kodiaks on the board with a strike to the left side past Kings goalkeeper Jared St. Thomas. Beaulieu was a workhorse, playing all 90 minutes and recording two shots on goal. 

In the 74th minute, Demers couldn't corral a shot from RDP first-year forward Thomson Wellie and Pedro Humberto Mourao Neto deposited the rebound into the open cage for a 5-1 cushion.

Gabriel Fleury de Queiroz, a Business Administration General Management student, was named the Northstar Sports Kings Player of the Game, with one goal and four shots over 77 minutes played. Vincent Dyck received the recognition for the Kodiaks, playing the entire game and recording one shot.

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks (0-1) will compete against the Olds College Broncos (1-0) on Sunday, September 19 at 4 pm.

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (1-0) will face the Broncos (1-0) in Olds on Saturday, September 25 at 2 pm.