Jayden Egharevba (left) and Lazlo Lorenzo (right) share a handshake after the Horns vs Kodiaks Futsal friendly.

A KODIAK and a pronghorn may not coexist in the wilderness, but in the windy coulees of Lethbridge, Alberta, the camaraderie can become very strong. The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks Men’s Soccer team reside on the east side of the river valley, which is notoriously conjoined by Lethbridge’s famous High Level Bridge. On the west side of said coulee is home to the University of Lethbridge and the Pronghorns Men’s Soccer team. The two athletic programs are staples to their respective post secondary identities and have been successful over the years in building and maintaining a positive soccer community in Lethbridge. 

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks compete in the Alberta Collegiate Athletic Conference, also known as the ACAC. While the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns compete in the Can West regional conference of U Sports. Despite the difference in leagues, to each other they are known simply as the school across the street and with that a natural rivalry between the two post secondary institutions  is born.  

Michael Racz, head coach of Kodiaks soccer, sees this as an opportunity to develop players further and foster an important community in Lethbridge by inviting the Pronghorns to play in friendly soccer matches throughout the seasons. 

“Playing against quality competition is going to continue to test you. It gives us an opportunity to try different things in a lower risk environment that we might not be able to try in an ACAC league game. Instead, we’re looking at our performance and making sure that we’re working on key things that are going to help us when we do get to games where those types of tactics would become helpful.”

The benefit of observing tactical implications in these friendlies aids game time decisions for Racz and his coaching staff, and can help the Kodiaks hold themselves to a higher standard. With that standard, players on the Kodiaks men’s soccer team have ambitions to play beyond the collegiate level as well. 

“Lots of young footballers here have aspirations of going to other places which I recognize. Players aspiring to go and play at the U Sports level have the opportunity to take that step here. So having a good relationship with the Pronghorns gives players that opportunity to feel like that’s possible to do.” 

Danilo Morales, former Pronghorns men’s soccer player turned assistant coach, has now been on both sides of these friendlies over the years. According to his stat sheet posted on the gohorns website, during his time at the Pronghorns, Morales accumulated over 3,500 game time minutes. For him it was important to preach the advantage of any minutes on the field.

“Locally, it benefits everyone in terms of the long run. Improving each other when you can’t get out to different cities like Calgary who have more options than us, and Edmonton who have more options. So I think it’s important to take advantage of the proximity and get out and improve each other whenever we can.”

The university and the polytechnic are the only two post secondary schools in Lethbridge, with the only other high level competition being over two hours away. From being a former player, Morales is also able to recognize the desire when a player wants to push themselves.

“The polytechnic has always been a competitive team over the years, so it’s always good for us to keep our legs fresh. For the Kodiaks, I think a lot of them want to make that next step. It’s good to see the level that the university guys are at and if they compete at that level, maybe they can make that jump.” 

Besides the abundance of technical and physical benefits, the most important reason Racz initiates these games is out of respect for the soccer culture in Lethbridge.  

“We’re not just trying to just build a positive culture within our teams, but also build a positive culture within the sport in Lethbridge. If we can build that positive relationship, where we work together, it not only benefits both programs, but inspires the community as well.”

The friendly matches help the Kodiaks take their game to the next level, and keeps the Pronghorns accountable for their standards, all while bolstering ambition and culture within the soccer community in Lethbridge. The coulee camaraderie will continue, as both programs are currently preparing for the 2026 outdoor season. Only in Lethbridge can a Kodiak and a Pronghorn coexist.