Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – After wrapping up the best regular season in program history, claiming a division title for the first time with a 9-2-3 record, the accolades are starting to come in for the MacEwan Griffins women's soccer team.
On Thursday, six players were named to Canada West all-star and all-rookie teams – the most the Griffins have had in any sport since joining the conference in 2014.
Goalkeeper Emily Burns, defender Jamie Erickson and midfielder Suekiana Choucair were voted to the Canada West first all-star team, while midfielder Kristyn Smart and forward Meagan Lemoine earned second team honours.
Additionally, midfielder/defender Sofia DiGiacomo was named to the Canada West all-rookie team.
"To have five all-stars and six with the all-rookie is impressive," said head coach Dean Cordeiro. "I'm pumped with the growth of these players within our program and what they've meant to the team. To have them be a major core that's helped us achieve our regular season goal with winning the Prairie Division, I'm elated that across the conference they're getting the respect that they deserve.
"They're quality footballers, but above all that, they're quality students and have high character. For me, it's the culture that we have here and to see six of our players get this recognition within the conference is something that I'm very proud of."
It's the most the program has had since setting the standard last year with three all-stars and one rookie team member.
Burns has twice been a Canada West second team all-star, but took her game to another level this season with a 0.58 goals against average and .849 save percentage to earn her first first-team nod in her senior season.
"I've always said we're fortunate to have the best keeper in the conference," said Cordeiro. "She's starting to get that recognition from everyone else. She's played such an important role for us over the years and is somebody we can always rely on to make that big save in big moments and big games.
"Emily's had a great season. I think she's in the top three in every statistical category for goalkeepers and has just added to her legacy here at MacEwan. She ranks near the top in various goalkeeping categories in Canada West. It just speaks to her illustrious career her in the Maroon and White as well."
Erickson was voted to the Canada West first team for the second-straight year, showing what a force she is at centre-back for the Griffins.
"Jamie wears her heart on her sleeve out there and does whatever it takes to win games," said Cordeiro. "She's a gamer, she's a rock back there. All the little things she does – breaking up plays, sticking tackles and just being a leader we can rely on has really shown over these last few years.
"Obviously, the conference has taken notice. I'm just very proud of everything that she does to prepare herself to be at her best. She's always been all about the team and it's nice for her to get this recognition."
Jamie Erickson has been named to the conference first all-star team in back-to-back seasons (Chris Piggott photo).
Choucair has previously been a second team all-star but this is also her first time on the first team. It's no wonder after the season she had in breaking the Griffins' program record for assists (8) and points (13), finishing tied for fourth in the conference in scoring, while matching an ironwoman streak by starting every match of her five-year career.
"Only two others have played in all 70 matches in their careers and she started in all 70. It just goes to show the impact she's had from Day 1 with our program," said Cordeiro. "She's been an all-star a couple of times and this is the first time she's been a Canada West first team all-star. It's well deserved.
"She obviously broke program records in assists this year with eight and total points with 13. She's just been somebody who we've always relied on heavily. She's had a great season up to this point. We look forward to seeing that carrying through into the playoffs."
Suekiana Choucair's record-breaking season landed her on the Canada West first all-star team for the first time in her career (Chris Piggott photo).
Smart was runner-up for Canada West rookie of the year in 2014, but she's had to play through injuries to get to the point of being recognized again. She returned to MacEwan in 2019 for one last semester and finishes her career in style with the award.
"What a way to go out for her," said Cordeiro. "I'm just so happy for her, in particular. She had to endure a lot over her career. For her to come back and go out with a bang – showing her value as a player and what she does for our team and our program as a captain.
"She's been one of the most influential players that I've worked with. I'm so happy for her to get this recognition because she's been an absolute stud for us this season."
Kristyn Smart returned to the Griffins for one final season 100 per cent recovered from knee injuries that have interrupted her university career and it paid off with a second team all-star nod (Chris Piggott photo).
Lemoine appears on a conference all-star list for the first time in her four-year career. She tied for 13th in Canada West scoring with six goals and nine points and helps the Griffins win in multiple ways.
"Meagan's in peak form for us right now," said Cordeiro. "She's had a massive year for us, been clutch in scoring. She's been relied on in every match. She probably leads the conference in crossbars and posts. She's just been all over the scoresheet.
"She's someone that's taken it to another level for us and putting the ball in the back of the net. Just on set pieces, her throws … she's been the complete package for us up top. I think the conference took note just how impactful she is in games and what a handful she is to deal with from a defending standpoint."
Meagan Lemoine, seen performing one of her jaw-droppingly powerful throw-ins, earned the first all-star nod of her career after scoring six times for the Griffins this season (Robert Antoniuk photo).
DiGiacomo only started once in MacEwan's first six games, playing some substitution minutes, but after starting defender Samantha Gouveia suffered an injury on Sept. 22, the talented Calgary product took over her full-time spot, starting every minute of MacEwan's final eight matches. Even though she's traditionally a midfielder, DiGiacomo made a major impact defensively, while also producing four goals and an assist.
"For a first year, how powerful she is and how great she is is something I've never seen before in anyone I've worked with," said Cordeiro. "She's an animal in the air. To be able to chip away – I think she had four goals and one assist – to be one of our leaders in points, playing centre back is massive.
"When a centre-back can take care of what they need to defensively, but also contribute offensively, is something that helps the team and pushes them over the top."
Sofia DiGiacomo never left the field in MacEwan's final eight games of the season after filling in for injured defender Samantha Gouveia and also scored four times - a huge peformance for the rookie (Chris Piggott photo).
The Griffins will play in a Canada West quarter-final on Sunday (2 p.m., Clarke Stadium) against the winner of Victoria and Regina, who meet in Friday's Play-In contest (2 p.m., Clarke Stadium, both games Canada West TV presented by Co-op).
