Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – To be clear, the Griffins men's soccer team is done with the moral victories.
They had their fair share of those during a 2-10-2 season last year that wasn't nearly as bad as the record indicates.
They had another one against the University of Alberta Golden Bears in their Canada West regular season opener last weekend – a 2-0 loss that could have just as easily been a win.
Head coach Adam Loga continues to preach patience, sticking to the process that a talented, but young, team needs to go through to build a winning culture, but he'd love to see some wins on the table.
"We're a young team, but the spirits are great right now, the vibe's great," said Loga. "We couldn't ask for anything better as a staff.
"We've just got to continue to grow and push forward. That sense of belief is coming. When it does officially come, we're going to be dangerous. We need to stick to the process and keep building and progress accordingly."
The Griffins (0-1-0) will aim for their first triumph of the young season this weekend as they head out on their annual epic road trip to Lethbridge and Saskatoon on back-to-back days. They will meet the Pronghorns (0-2-0) on Saturday (12 p.m., Canada West TV) and the Saskatchewan Huskies (1-1-0) on Sunday (4 p.m., Canada West TV).
"This is a big weekend for us, like any weekend in this division and this conference," said Loga. "So, we have to be prepared, come out aggressive with the will and belief that we can take six points."
To get those points, the Griffins will have to overcome their bus legs on a challenging road trip. Lethbridge is six hours on the iron lung, followed by a seven-hour trip to Saskatoon and then another five back home. All within a span of about 60 hours.
"Any road trip and any game on the road is difficult, but this one is especially (tough) just due to the time on the bus," said Loga. "Guys get knocks (during the game) and it stiffens up a bit. We don't really have the ability to treat knocks and injuries as well as we could if we didn't have such long road trips."
On the field, the Griffins will be aiming for results, but also respect. In the annual Canada West preseason coaches' poll, MacEwan was voted to finish in the conference basement.
"We're OK sitting under the radar a bit," said Loga. "The coaches' poll – coming dead last by a landslide, even though we've never been last – didn't really rub us the right way, if you will.
"There's a little bit of a chip on our shoulders. We want to be a little bit more respected in the conference, but that comes with results."
