Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – A handful for opposing defences, Everett Orgnero shattered the MacEwan record for most goals in a Canada West campaign with eight.
On Wednesday afternoon, he earned some recognition from the conference, selected as one of 11 players to the 2018 Canada West men's soccer All-Rookie team.
It's the first time in program history MacEwan has had a player earn a conference season award – a testament to not only Orgnero's great season but also the team's improvement after coming the closest they've come yet to making the playoffs.
"It's awesome," said Griffins head coach Adam Loga. "It proves we are taking the necessary steps forward to bring young talented players in. To finally get our first Canada West men's soccer award to date, it's a great honour."
Orgnero didn't score his first goal of the season until the Griffins' sixth game, but he was unconscious down the stretch, scoring five goals in a four-game span – including against three playoff teams – and finished with eight. That doubled the previous program Canada West record of four, twice reached by former student-athlete Lahai Mansaray.
"He had a great season," said Loga. "He found his groove and kind of rode a wave mid-season on. I think it's important to note, too, that he came in with a sense of maturity that a lot of young players don't have because he is fairly well-travelled for a young player. The home sickness, moving cities, didn't faze him.
"It's just a testament to his experience to this point and his overall maturity."
It's clear the 6-foot-5 forward, who played for Loga at Edge School in Calgary in his youth, has tons of great soccer ahead of him.
"He was great for us," said Loga. "I think this was an important season for him. He has aspirations to play at a higher level. Coming into the university level and this conference, in particular, he challenged himself and he set personal goals for himself and he met them.
"I think he's got to keep working, he's got to stay humble and there's a bright future for him ahead."
