NAIT to host the 2017 ACAC Men's Soccer Championship

Oct. 22, 2017 – Edmonton, Alta. – Six of Alberta's best college men's soccer teams are coming to the capital region as the NAIT Ooks proudly host the 2017 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championship October 27-29 at the Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta.

Three teams from each of the ACAC North and South divisions have qualified for the tournament including the host Ooks and their North division counterparts Keyano College and Concordia University of Edmonton. Representing the South division are SAIT, Medicine Hat College, and Lethbridge College.

NAIT's athletics manager Jordan Richey is excited to get the championship started.

"NAIT Athletics welcomes the opportunity to host the 2017 ACAC men's soccer championship, and it is our goal to make this a memorable event for all those attending. NAIT has a rich tradition of hosting ACAC and Canadian championships, and we are looking forward to an outstanding competition at a first-class venue at Emerald Hills".

The championship begins with the unveiling of the 2017 ACAC individual award winners and all-star teams during the Championship gala at NAIT's Shaw Theatre on Thursday evening at 5 p.m.

Tournament gets underway on Friday at 12 pm when the Concordia Thunder take on the Lethbridge Kodiaks in the first quarterfinal. NAIT plays the Medicine Hat Rattlers Friday at 2 p.m. in the second quarter-final.

"We are looking forward to Championship this week. The team is preparing well, and we are looking to finish the season with an ACAC title and a trip to nationals," says NAIT coach Charles O'Toole. "The level of competition is much higher this year with several teams having many veteran players, so the games this weekend will be fiercely fought."

The two regular season division champions (Keyano and SAIT)  receive byes into Saturday's semi-finals.

The top two teams in this championship will move on to represent the ACAC at the CCAA National championship at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, BC, November 8-11.

Tickets for the event are available for purchase at Emerald Hills Regional Park beginning Friday at 11 am. Admission is $10 for an adult day pass, $5 for students with ID, and $3 for children 12 years of age and under. Indoor seating tournament passes can be purchased for $50 while supplies last. The event will be webcast live on ACACTV.

Tournament schedule

Thursday, October 26

ACAC Awards Gala at Shaw Theatre (NAIT), 5 pm

Friday, October 27

Quarterfinal A – Concordia University of Edmonton vs. Lethbridge College

Quarterfinal B – Medicine Hat College vs. NAIT, 2 pm

Saturday, October 28

Semifinal A – Winner QF A vs. Keyano College, 12 pm

Semifinal B – Winner QF B vs. SAIT, 2 pm 

Sunday, October 29

Bronze medal game – Loser SF A vs. Loser SF B, 12 pm

Gold medal game – Winner SF A vs. Winner SF B, 2 pm

For accreditation, interview requests or other information, please contact:

Sam Nahrgang • Sports Information • (780) 471-7606 • snahrgang@nait.ca