Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – We're talking 'bout practice … or not.
The MacEwan Griffins women's soccer team didn't even have one before heading into their first exhibition game on Tuesday.
In a unique beginning to their 2022 training camp, the defending U SPORTS champions had only a team meeting on Monday before going straight into a contest against the visiting Manitoba Bisons, who have been training since mid-July.
No worries, though.
The Griffins won 4-1.
"Typically, we open camp with fitness testing and then have an 11v11 intra-squad game where we see where we're at and come up with a plan for the rest of the preseason," said head coach Dean Cordeiro. "But instead of playing each other, we had an opportunity to play a team that's three weeks in, so why not?
"We thought it would be a good test for us to get everyone on the same page. That definitely was the case. We were a little slow out of the gate, which was to be expected, but then we took control."
With a wind advantage in the first half, Manitoba scored first, but MacEwan equalized just before the half and the floodgates opened in the second half with three Griffins goals in 10 minutes.
Second-year forward Alyx Henderson scored twice, Grace Mwasalla added one and Erin Van Dolder scored off a free kick, while also adding an assist.
Player of the game Mariah Arnott – also a second-year forward – factored in all four goals after coming into the game as a sub in the 35th minute, recording two assists, while drawing a corner and free kick that ended in goals.
Mariah Arnott spins away from Manitoba's Bianca Bucci during Tuesday's non-conference match at Clareview Field. Arnott factored in all four of MacEwan's goals (Jefferson Hagen photo).
"We had a lot of girls contribute in their first year and with us graduating five players from last year's national championship team, these girls have been percolating," said Cordeiro of his promising next wave of talent. "They've had amazing mentors in front of them. They played roles in their rookie season and now they're ready for more."
The teams will meet again on Wednesday (3:15 p.m., Clareview) before the Griffins finally get into a regular training camp environment ahead of their next non-conference match vs. Concordia University of Edmonton on Aug. 10.
"(Wednesday) will be a whole new starting 11 and we'll rest a bunch of different players who played bigger workloads (on Tuesday) and we'll see where that next group is," said Cordeiro. "It's all about baby steps. We want to be mindful of everyone's training loads. We don't want to overdo it the first couple days of camp.
"Competition is good. We don't get enough of it and to be able to have games – although it's exhibition – there's still something to play for. I like that more than having the 11v11 intra-squad, so it's worked out really well."
MacEwan also has home non-conference matches lined up against Canada West opponents Regina, Thompson Rivers, Saskatchewan and UNBC in a busy preseason slate before their home opener on Aug. 26 vs. Alberta.
"A lot of thought's been put into it," said Cordeiro. "We want to have a good idea where we're at. We start the season two weeks earlier than we ever have with the home opener on Aug. 26. We usually always play after the September long weekend.
"It's about getting up to speed a little bit sooner. I think we have a nice mix of competition, predominantly U SPORTS and Canada West teams. I think it will give us ample minutes, training loads and opportunities to assess the team to ensure we're ready to go come that home opener."
