Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Try as they might through multiple set pieces and golden attacking opportunities, the MacEwan Griffins men's soccer team just couldn't score on Saturday.
Even Ali Yildiz's cracker from the top of the box in stoppage time wouldn't go – nailing the crossbar instead – as MacEwan fell 1-0 to Saskatchewan on Saturday at Edmonton Scottish.
"We didn't have a great first half," said head coach Adam Loga. "The second half, we were a bit more on the front foot.
"We spotted them the first half and just couldn't find the back of the net in the second half."
As a result, the Huskies improved to 3-7-0, leapfrogging the Griffins (2-6-1) in the Prairie Division standings.
"Guys came out a bit flat and we've got to be accountable for that," said Loga. "Their goal was our own mistake, which sucks, especially since it was a mistake we were literally walking through in training less than 24 hours ago.
"It's a bit frustrating from that end."
Saskatchewan's goal came in the 30th minute off a scramble in the box after a cross was sent in. Rajesh Rodney's initial shot was blocked but dropped to Robert Woodroffe-Brown, whose point-blank blast was heroically stopped by a diving Oleksandr Popravka. Unfortunately for the Griffins, the rebound spun onto the boot of Malcolm Rektor, who smashed it in.
The Griffins had a game-high seven corner kicks and multiple free kicks in dangerous positions, but their struggling set piece attack couldn't find a way. MacEwan has scored just once in its last three games, all losses as their playoff chances are getting away from them.
"Like we chatted about earlier this week, we haven't done great defending (set pieces), but we haven't done well attacking them either," said Loga. "I think we've got one goal (on set pieces) all year.
"Maybe (we go) back to the drawing board a little bit. I know the staff works hours on end to try and find a solution. Hopefully, the floodgates will open sooner rather than later."
Popravka finished with seven saves for the Griffins and is now up to 51 on the campaign – the third-most in Canada West. Jaron Slopinski stopped two for the Huskies.
Rookie midfielder Logan Klapstein was named Game MVP for the Griffins after putting in the full 90-minute shift.
"He stepped up and played a great 90 – a good role both ways in all phases," said Loga. "He wasn't supposed to start today. He had go in late with Abhi (Sandhu) stepping out in warmups. To kind of get thrown into the fire unexpectedly and have that type of performance, it was well deserved."
The Griffins will be back in action at home on Sunday vs. Lethbridge (2-2-6) (2:30 p.m., Edmonton Scottish, Canada West TV).
