Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – A year after testing themselves against some of England's top female pro teams, the MacEwan Griffins women's soccer squad is set for a similar challenge in Holland.
Set to travel to Amsterdam on Friday for a week spent sightseeing and immersing themselves in a different culture, the Griffins will also play three games – two against professional teams and another against a side that's affiliated with famous Holland club Ajax.
"It's going to be a great experience," said Griffins head coach Dean Cordeiro. "Last year we were in tough playing those pro sides – Reading FC, Watford ladies and Bristol. But it was an amazing experience and our girls really did rise to the occasion.
"Having these international matches just really makes the winter season something the girls always look forward to."
After landing in Amsterdam, the Griffins will take in a men's pro match between Ajax and PEC Zwolle – played at the latter's enclosed stadium, which is sure to become a special spot for them. Four days later, they will play a game on the same turf.
"We're going to watch that game on Sunday and it's kind of cool because we end our tour playing against the professional women's side of that professional men's team and we'll be playing in that exact same stadium," said Cordeiro. "Now, minus all the fans, of course. But it will be a pretty cool experience for the team."
The Griffins will kick off their competitive slate on Monday against Ajax affiliate Ter Leede, play pro team ADO Den Haag on Tuesday and then finish off against the aforementioned PEC Zwolle. In between is plenty of sightseeing around Amsterdam and Brussels, Belgium.
"We're excited," said Cordeiro. "The first team being an affiliated Ajax team, they play a level below (the others), so that will kind of be the tune-up match – a chance for us to see the level and the standard.
"The two pro teams we'll be playing after that, we know they can play and they're going to have players who represent their countries internationally," he added. "They're going to be tough matchups, but we're looking forward to the challenge. We'll give everybody an opportunity to showcase their abilities. We expect the team to rise to the occasion."
Including the three overseas matches, the Griffins will play a total of 12 exhibition games over the winter season – great preparation as they get ready for the 2018 Canada West campaign. They're currently undefeated at 4-0-2 in six games so far.
"Leading up to it, we've already played six 11 v 11 games in a month, which is very exciting," said Cordeiro. "After we play these three matches and come back and play three more, we'll have all of our players playing in 12 matches over the term. It's very exciting how we continue to grow and prepare our team for the 2018 fall season."
