Three Stars: Gouveia, Skoye, Abrahart earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Women's soccer student-athlete Samantha Gouveia is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after her stellar performances in two weekend wins over Lethbridge and Mount Royal University.
Gouveia scored a goal in each game, including the game-winner at MRU, and logged back-to-back 90-minute efforts on the defensive side of the ball as the Griffins allowed just one goal against.
Other athletes recognized this week include second star Kyrelle Skoye of the women's hockey team and third star Joseph Abrahart of the men's soccer team.
It's the first honour of the season for all three student-athletes.
1st STAR: Samantha Gouveia, D, women's soccer
Edmonton, AB, fifth-year, Arts
The veteran centre-back put forth her regular stellar defensive work in leading the charge with back-to-back 90-minute efforts as the Griffins allowed just one goal against in 4-1 and 2-0 wins over Lethbridge and Mount Royal University, respectively, on the weekend.
Gouveia also was a major factor on the offensive side of the pitch, scoring a goal in each of the two games, including the winner against MRU.
On Saturday in Lethbridge, she opened the scoring just 3:33 into the game on a header off a corner kick.
On Sunday in Calgary, she also scored the Griffins' first goal in the 40th minute on a rebound off an Anna McPhee shot.
For her efforts, Gouveia was named MacEwan's player of the game in both contests.
The team's captain will lead the Griffins - newly ranked No. 9 in the nation - into a weekend home doubleheader vs. Alberta on Saturday and Sunday (both days, 12 p.m., Clareview Stadium, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).
Kyrelle Skoye scored a goal and had a game-high seven shots for the Griffins in Saturday's 5-4 overtime preseason loss to Calgary (Joel Kingston photo).
2nd STAR: Kyrelle Skoye, D, women's hockey
St. Albert, AB, fifth-year, Arts
Always a steady defender, the veteran Griffins leader was a major factor in MacEwan's two preseason home matches against Alberta and Calgary.
As is usually the case with defencemen, their contributions on the scoresheet prove most notable and Skoye's goal during Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Dinos was a highlight.
With the Griffins trailing 2-1 late in the second period, she took a pass off the half wall and sent a seeing-eye point blast bar down on Calgary goaltender Gabrielle Durante.
That was one of a game-high seven shots that Skoye registered.
She'll lead the Griffins into a pair of exhibition matches in Saskatoon this weekend. MacEwan faces host Saskatchewan on Friday (7 p.m.) and will play against Regina on Saturday (4 p.m.).
Joseph Abrahart, seen on a snowy day against Trinity Western during the 2018 season, is in prime form ahead of MacEwan's 2021 season opener, scoring three times during their latest intra-squad match (Chris Piggott photo).
3rd STAR: Joseph Abrahart, D, men's soccer
Sherwood Park, AB, fourth-year, Commerce
In their latest intra-squad match as the Griffins men's soccer team prepares for the season, Abrahart scored three goals.
The veteran, who has often been used as a late-game sub at the striker position in previous years – most notably scored the game-winning goal for the Griffins against Calgary on Sept. 9, 2018 – has been listed a defender in 2021.
There's no doubt he still has that clutch goal-scoring ability, though, which is good news for the Griffins as they prepare to open the season at home on Saturday vs. cross-town rival Alberta (2:30 p.m., Clareview Stadium, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).
