MacEwan Athletics
LANGLEY, B.C. – In a result that is no doubt reverberating around the country, the MacEwan Griffins slayed a giant on Friday night, knocking off the No. 1-ranked women's soccer team in U SPORTS.
With a 3-2 win over the Trinity Western Spartans on their home turf – ending the powerhouse's undefeated streak – the Griffins surely expect to get some love in the rankings next week.
Even if they don't, it's a colossal step forward for a program searching for its first-ever nationals berth after finishing fourth in Canada West in back-to-back seasons.
"It's exciting for the group," said head coach Dean Cordeiro, whose team scored more goals on TWU Friday than the Spartans had previously allowed in the entire season. "I just think it gives us confidence and just opens up the team's eyes to where we are and what we can accomplish.
"Coming back off of consecutive final fours, we've been in that mix, in that conversation, but it always seems like it's been a team like Trinity (Western) that would be in our way.
"Today in the regular season, we seized the moment. For 90 minutes we executed, were the better team and got the job done. I think it's very important for our group to see that and get rewarded for playing a very good game."
Suekiana Choucair opened the scoring for the Griffins in the 45th minute when her 23-yard free kick from just outside the box, deflected off the wall and beat TWU goalkeeper Rachel Sydor.
After absorbing some pressure from the Spartans early in the second half, the Griffins took a 2-0 lead off another Choucair free kick in the 53rd minute. This time, she blasted a 25-yard offering off the crossbar.
"The keeper might have got a touch and the ball fell in the mixer and Brittany Costa, very alert, ran in there and put it top corner," said Cordeiro. "It was great to see Brittany get rewarded for making a nicely-timed run in."
A defensive miscue by the Griffins allowed TWU to get to within one when Kathryn Harvey scored in the 60th minute.
But the Griffins wouldn't be denied as Kaylin Hermanutz restored a two-goal lead in the 80th minute.
"Kaylin Hermanutz had a great game," said Cordeiro. "She went into the game at half-time and completely changed it for us. (On the goal), Raeghan (McCarthy) beat a defender off the line and played a well-placed cross with her left foot in behind their weak-side fullback and Kaylin made a perfectly-timed blind side run back post, took it off her chest and put it in the upper half of the net. Great finish."
Turns out the Griffins would need the tally as TWU's Seina Kashima scored in the dying moments to get the Spartans within one. That was as close as they would get.
Emily Burns made seven saves as the Griffins were outshot 17-10 and 9-7 in shots on goal). Her most important one came in the 25th minute when she made a one-handed tip save off Kashima that kept the Spartans from grabbing an early lead.
"Emily was fantastic early on when they came out pretty strong," said Cordeiro. "I really think that sparked us in terms of momentum in settling into the game."
MacEwan moves to 3-1-1 after the win, within striking distance of the 4-1-0 Spartans for top spot in the Pacific Division. Now second in the division, they'll visit UFV (1-2-2) on Saturday (6:30 p.m. MT, Canada West TV).
