Home is where the heart is and where the ball was for the Lethbridge College Kodiaks over the weekend.
The Kodiaks had home-court advantage through the whole of the 2019 ACAC Futsal Championships — and the fans in the stands to prove it.
Todd Caughlin, Athletic Director at Lethbridge College, said staying home for the season-ending tournament alleviates some of the stress that can accompany such events.
“It’s just the familiarity and regularity. You don’t have to worry about extra stresses. That in itself allows you to get a clearer head. With a clear head you can get a better focus and with that, comes better performance. That’s what I loved as an athlete about playing at home. You also get an adrenaline rush from the crowd and when that works with the focus, you tend to be hard to beat.”
Seth Slomp, the Kodiaks backup goaltender, unexpectedly played in his first match of the tournament on Saturday. The game also marked another first for Slomp.
“I have my dad out in the stands. I think this is one of the first times he’s ever been to one of my games. I wish I were out there on the court playing, but it’s alright.”
Little did he know, later that day he would end up getting some time on the court.
Slomp was on the bench for the whole tournament until starting goaltender Kohl Wandyka was pulled, following eight goals in the first half against Olds College on Saturday. Slomp managed to keep the Kodiaks in the game throughout the second frame, only giving up two goals — all while his dad watched from the stands.
“It was hard for me to come in mid-game as I didn’t warm up. When I made my first couple of saves, it gave me some confidence and I was ready to play. The crowd was also a factor as I just fed off the energy coming out of the stands,” said Slomp.
Caughlin said playing in front of fans and parents is another reason teams strive for home court advantage.
“You get to play in front of your people. Your friends and family — the Kodiaks Nation, if you will.”
The Kodiaks women did not end up making the medal round and the men’s team lost its bronze medal game, but the fans were out supporting them right until the end of the tournament on Sunday.