MacEwan and Canada West Communications
EDMONTON – The MacEwan Griffins men's soccer team will enter the season with some fuel to their competitive fire after opposing coaches voted them to finish last out of 13 teams in the Canada West conference in 2024.
The result comes despite finishing ahead of three other teams in 2023 and narrowly missing the playoffs on the season's final day.
Nevertheless, that's how the men's soccer coaches poll shook down on Thursday as the Griffins received just 35 points in the proceedings.
UBC (141), Mount Royal (133) and Alberta (120) topped the poll, with all receiving at least one first-place vote.
MRU enters the season as the conference's first new defending champion in five years, but with the parity reflected in the coaches poll voting, the 2024 Canada West men's soccer season promises to be as wide open and competitive as any in recent memory.
Just three points separated fourth place Trinity Western and fifth place Victoria, while Saskatchewan (#8), UBCO (#9), UFV (#10) and UNBC (#11) were all separated by just four points.
Opening weekend across the conference begins this Friday through Sunday, including MRU kicking off their season and celebrating their 2023 championship banner at home against Lethbridge on Saturday afternoon.
MacEwan will wait a week before their first game, which comes on the road at Lethbridge on Aug. 30 – a weekend bus trip which includes a visit to Saskatchewan on Sept. 1. The Griffins' home opener is set for Sept. 7 when they welcome defending champ MRU.
SEE THE GRIFFINS' FULL SCHEDULE HERE
The regular season runs through Oct. 20, with playoffs slated to begin Oct. 25.
Fans can catch all the action on CanadaWest.TV, which now allows fans to watch games on popular Connected TV apps like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Roku. Regular season sport passes are available for $39.99.
2024 CW Men's Soccer Coaches Poll
Team - Points (First-place votes)
- UBC Thunderbirds - 141 (9)
- Mount Royal Cougars – 133 (3)
- Alberta Golden Bears – 120 (1)
- Trinity Western Spartans – 107
- Victoria Vikes - 104
- Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 86
- Calgary Dinos - 78
- Saskatchewan Huskies - 46
- UBCO Heat – 44
- UFV Cascades - 43
- UNBC Timberwolves – 42
- Lethbridge Pronghorns - 35
- MacEwan Griffins – 35
MacEwan Griffins preview
From the coach: "We are excited to be playing home matches where we practice/train for the first time in our men's program's history." – Head Coach Adam Loga
Key Performer: Chance Carter
Midfield
4th Year
Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.
The former FC Edmonton product is entering his fourth season with the Griffins and continues to be one of the most unsung two-way players in Canada West. The stats belie his impact on the success of the squad as his superior ball skills and physicality allow him to be equally adept at driving play and shutting down the opposition. Setting a pro-level example as a former FC Edmonton Canadian Premier League player, Carter brings a level of leadership that will again be huge for a Griffins team looking to return to the playoffs in 2024.
