Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

-With files from Bears and Pandas Athletics

EDMONTON – With both Edmonton rivals having something to play for, it was the Alberta Golden Bears who achieved their goal, coming out on top, 3-0 at Foote Field on Sunday.

With the result, Alberta clinched the No. 1 seed in the Prairie Division.

For the Griffins, the game was as close to a must-win as it could be. Despite the loss, they are still alive in the playoff race, three points back of Lethbridge for the final playoff spot in the Prairie Division heading into their final game of the regular season, Oct. 18 vs. Alberta.

"We're frustrated, for sure," said head coach Adam Loga. "But the thing is we can only be frustrated at ourselves. Again, we're beating ourselves. We're our worst opponent sometimes. We've mentioned that in previous games and that was sadly the case again today."

Marcus Velado-Tsegaye, Habib Assem and Frankroy Cain scored for the Golden Bears, who improved to 9-1-3, dropping MacEwan to 3-9-1.

"It was pretty even in the run of play," said Loga. "I thought we had a very good first half, especially. The boys executed well. Tactically, set up well. Sadly, it was a set piece and one individual error and that's the game."

Making his return from an injury that's cost him all but three contests this season, former FC Edmonton defender T-Boy Fayia was named player of the game for the Griffins.

"T-Boy did well," said Loga. "It was good to have T-Boy back. Obviously, he's a big part of what we do and how we set up. 

"His defending in 1v1 moments has been classy. Given his position, he has to go against their best attacker in 1v1 player and he continually shuts him down. He just does so well in defensive moments."

MacEwan will need a win in their final game and have both Lethbridge and Saskatchewan (3-8-1) lose their final two to make the playoffs. Both of those teams will meet Mount Royal and Calgary on alternating days Oct. 18 and 20.