Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – First, this MacEwan Griffins women's soccer team became the winningest since the program joined Canada West in 2014 when they reached nine wins in the 2018 regular season.
The latest landmark to be achieved by this group?
Jamie Erickson has become the first player in program history to earn a Canada West first team all-star squad nod.
How about another milestone?
Emily Burns and Suekiana Choucair were named to the conference's second team all-star squad and Hannah Supina made the All-Rookie team, giving the MacEwan the most Canada West award winners ever in a single season for not only women's soccer but every sport at the university.
"These are some of the top players not only on our team but the conference," said Griffins head coach Dean Cordeiro. "I'm excited for them to get the recognition they deserve."
Erickson is one of four defensive players on the first team, joining Trinity Western's Kristen Sakaki, and Calgary's Talia White and Kayla Kreutzer.
"It couldn't have went to a better kid," said Cordeiro. "Her season was remarkable. She's one of the top centre-backs in the conference and, in my opinion, the country.
"Not only that, she was tied for the team lead in points (seven) and tied for goals with four. When you have someone who's a rock defensively who can help start your attack in terms of building up play and then also is contributing on the stats sheet with goals and assists, you've got the complete package in a player like Jamie."
Emily Burns is a Canada West second team all-star for the second time in her university career (Chris Piggott photo).
Burns makes the second all-star team for the second time in her Canada West career (also honoured in 2016). She played every minute of the 2018 season for the Griffins, posting a goals against average of 1.21 and a save percentage of .767.
"Emily Burns, since she's gotten here, has always been one of the top keepers in the conference," said Cordeiro. "Her hard work is paying off. She was constantly relied on all season long back there. She made big saves when they were required. A lot of the goals that were scored this season, she had no chance on.
"She's had a remarkable year and I'm glad to see her get that recognition again for the second time."
Suekiana Choucair tied for fourth in the conference in assists (Chris Piggott photo).
Midfielder Choucair played many important minutes for the Griffins, taking a good portion of the team's free kicks and corner kicks. She tied for the team lead in points with seven, while her six assists shared fourth-best in Canada West.
"Suek's always been relied on heavily," said Cordeiro. "I'm very happy with her getting the nod, too. She's tied for the team lead in points. That's impressive being a midfielder.
"I think Suekiana was up there in the top five in terms of assists. She's always a threat in the attacking half. I'm super excited that she got that recognition. She's always been one of the top players within our program and in the conference. It's nice for her to finally get that recognition from her peers and coaches."
Hannah Supina, left, played a ton of big minutes at fullback for the Griffins in her rookie season (Chris Piggott photo).
Supina started 10 games at fullback for the Griffins in her freshman season, taking the league by storm with smart, sound play. She was the only defender selected among 11 players on the All Rookie squad, meaning no other first-year across the league did as well in a tough position.
"We're fairly established now, so it's always harder for first years to jump in and contribute right away," said Cordeiro. "We knew (coming into the season) that Hannah was going to be on the field, we just didn't know where. Honestly, she's an elite fullback. Her best position might be in the front three and she's also a dynamic midfielder.
"So it's a remarkable season that Hammer (her nickname) had for us considering it's pretty out of position for her playing there," he added. "It just goes to show you how mature she is, how high her soccer IQ is that she didn't skip a beat. You put her on the pitch and she's going to do great things. She's just scratching the surface."
