Depth key to Broncos establishing themselves as ACAC contenders

Olds College Sports Information
October 8, 2023

To go on a deep run, depth is essential.

The Olds College Broncos men's soccer team has embraced that outlook in strengthening its roster ahead of the 2023 ACAC regular season, which begins on the road against the Medicine Hat College Rattlers on Saturday at 4 p.m., then wrapping up the opening weekend against the Lethbridge College Kodiaks on Sunday at 2 p.m.

From there, coach Allan Siwela's squad will return to Richardson Pioneer Field to battle the SAIT Trojans in their home opener on September 16 at 2 p.m.

The Broncos are coming off a 4-2-4 regular season that ended with a 4-1 loss to the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings in an ACAC South play-in match, though their 10 goals conceded was good for the third-best mark in the ACAC.

"We didn't finish the season how we wanted, so we're playing with a chip on our shoulder trying to prove everyone who doubted us wrong," said third-year Bronco Emmanuel Mukolo. "That's what's motivating us this year, because we know the level we can play at, and I am very confident as one of the leaders in this team that we are absolutely ready to take the big step forward." 

Mukolo (Edmonton, Alta.) is encouraged by how the roster has shaped up since training camp began in early August.

"The depth in the squad has been a blessing this year because it creates more intense practices, which helps us prepare better for the actual season," he said. "We are all ready to fight for a spot on the team, and that creates healthy competition, which elevates all of us to do better every single practice to make sure we gain that spot in the starting 11."

Defensive responsibility will again be a priority this season with Mukolo, fresh off an ACAC South All-Conference selection last season, and second-year Bronco Pedro Noschang (Novo Hamburgo, BRA) leading the charge, while also being buoyed by the depth provided by third-year Bronco Colton Berner (Stoughton, Sask.) and rookie Cristian Zorro (Bogota, COL).

Goalkeeping duties for the Broncos will be divided between the first-year trio of Cas Blous (Tilburg, NED), Gabriel Janik (Okotoks, Alta.) and Tristen Fraser (Strathmore, Alta.)

The Broncos also have continuity mixed in with their additions around the pitch, with Aminja Abbe (Calgary, Alta.) and Nahshon Ranger-Reece (Calgary, Alta.) coming on board after competing only in futsal last season, while Dilan Vargas (Swift Current, Sask.) will be counted on to provide strength and leadership in the midfield.  

Siwela was also active on the transfer front, with Michael Authenac (Grande Prairie, Alta. / Northwestern Polytechnic) and Cameron McNeely (Russell, Ont. / Durham College) coming into the fold to provide more experience, while Oliver Azeredo (Rio de Janeiro, BRA) comes in from the Prairie College futsal program to play outdoors with the Broncos.

The Broncos also maintain a local Mountain View County presence with Andrews and Thomas Broekman (Olds, Alta.), who comes into the outdoor squad after competing for the Broncos in futsal last season. Meanwhile, a pair of former Broncos return to the program in Wilson Ouattara (Abidjan, CIV) and Alex Gutierrez (Mexico City, MEX), who last suited up in the 2014-15 campaign.

"It was hard in the beginning because we had so many new faces so everyone had to get comfortable with each other again, but that's a challenge I feel like we overcame as a team," Mukolo said. "As of right now, everything is coming together very well because we feel more like a family."

Looking ahead, Mukolo believes the Broncos are ready to compete at the ACAC's highest levels.

"We promise the Broncos family and the fans that take their time to watch us play that we are not going to miss the championship this year," he said. "We are highly motivated to be in the championship, and as a team, we are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that happens." 

The 2023 ACAC Men's Soccer Championship will be contested at the Edmonton Soccer Dome from October 26-28, with the winner heading to St. Clair College in Windsor, Ont. for the 2023 CCAA Men's Soccer National Championship from November 8-11.

We encourage you to follow the Broncos across social media @OldsBroncos, and the Broncos men's soccer team on Instagram @broncos_msoc.