MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Women's soccer student-athlete Samantha Gouveia is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after netting two points and exhibiting strong defending over the weekend.
The fourth-year defender's efforts not only led to the Griffins' fifth-straight clean sheet on Saturday in a 2-0 win over UFV, she also scored the game-winner and added an assist.
Other athletes recognized this week include second star Jordan Hoyda of the women's golf team and third star Zibusiso Moyo of the men's soccer team.
All three are being recognized for the first time this season.
1st STAR: Samantha Gouveia, D, women's soccer
Edmonton, AB, fourth-year, Arts
A huge part of the collective effort to keep opponents off the scoresheet for the first five games of the Canada West season, the defender also stepped up offensively in a big way over the weekend.
Against UFV at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, Gouveia scored the game-winning goal in the 11th minute on a deft header. Standing at the top of the box, she directed Jamie Erickson's midfield free kick inside the right post.
Then she set up Meagan Lemoine for a 44th minute insurance marker.
Gouveia was also a presence for the Griffins during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Trinity Western before suffering an ankle injury during the first half and being carried off the field. She aims to return to action later this season.
The Griffins next visit Lethbridge and Mount Royal University on Sept. 28-29.
2nd STAR: Jordan Hoyda, women's golf
Valleyview, AB, third-year, Commerce
In the opening round of the ACAC South Regional on Saturday, Hoyda was in the zone, dropping a pair of birdie putts to shoot her lowest round as a Griffin – a 9-over 81 at Calgary's Valley Ridge GC.
That tied for the second-best round by any player over the weekend.
Hoyda shot an 88 in the second round under tougher conditions to finish in fourth place in the women's individual standings, just six shots behind winner Kennedy Turcotte of Concordia.
Hoyda led the Griffins to second place in the mixed team standings and third place in the women's team standings.
She now leads the Griffins into the ACAC Championship Sept. 27-29 at Coal Creek GC in Ryley, AB.
Jordan Hoyda shot an 81 in the opening round of the ACAC South Regional in Calgary on Saturday - her lowest as a Griffin (Robert Antoniuk photo).
3rd STAR: Zibusiso Moyo, D, men's soccer
Edmonton, AB, fourth-year, Science
In the absence of fellow wingbacks due to illness and injury, Moyo stepped up massively on the pitch as a footballer and as a teammate, playing air-tight defence against two tough Pacific Division foes.
His ability to shut down the opposition's best attackers continues to be crucial to the Griffins' defensive organization.
Against UBC, Moyo made two defensive saves, taking away sure goals from Thunderbirds strikers Mackenzie Cole and Jordan Haynes within the span of seven minutes in the first half. He cleared Cole's attempt off the line and leapt to get a head on Haynes' blast destined to go bar down.
Moyo was also crucial against UNBC. He played all but 11 minutes combined in the two outings for the Griffins.
Moyo and the Griffins visit Cowtown for a pair of games this weekend (Saturday at Mount Royal University and Sunday at Calgary).
Zibusiso Moyo, seen in action against Thompson Rivers earlier this season, had two key defensive saves for the Griffins against UBC on Saturday (Andrew Snucins photo).