EDMONTON, Alta – The NAIT Ooks men's soccer team, led by their head coach, Charles O'Toole, takes on Concordia University this weekend in their home opener. This season, the NAIT Ooks soccer teams have a new home; they will play all games out of Edmonton Scottish in Ellerslie. The home opener starts at 4:00 PM on field one.

Last year, the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It isn't easy to come back after a year off, O'Toole said, "I believe we have a way to go yet for the players to get back to their playing level prior to COVID. However, with each practice and game, we take a step closer and look to peak at the right time." Due to the pandemic, this season has been deemed a transition back to play with a reduced schedule.

The team primarily comprises first-year students, with a few returning, which O'Toole says "should provide a good balance." O'Toole doesn't think their experience will affect the team he has put together "the players complement each other and all work together to make each other better. There is good chemistry among the players. This is something we will look to bring onto the field to help us become a successful team."

On their quest to be the best, O'Toole says, "we are a team that will work hard and play to the best of our abilities allowing us to progress our game to the next level."

The NAIT Ooks men's team will play their second home game on Sunday, September 26th, at 4:00 PM against the Lakeland College Rustlers.