Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – On a special day where the only team in MacEwan history to post a perfect season – the 2013 Griffins women's soccer team – was inducted into the Athletics department's Wall of Distinction, Hannah Harper wrote her own memorable story.
The electric second-year forward scored a hat trick and added an assist to match a program record – the sixth time a Griffin has net four points in a Canada West match – as MacEwan roasted Regina 5-0 on Saturday at Edmonton Scottish.
Sunder West and Salma Kamel accomplished the feat during the 2019 season before Grace Mwasalla (twice) and Brenna Paquin each had four points in 2022 matches.
"Hannah's a special player," said MacEwan head coach Dean Cordeiro. "She's coming into her own. When the ball's on her feet, you see what she's capable of – scoring from distance, scoring on a header and set pieces.
"She's a special talent and we're getting an opportunity to see it right in front of our eyes. It's great to see her continue to grow as a player and help her team."
Harper opened the scoring in the 23rd minute on a free kick just outside the box – won after Brynn Hobal was taken down – curling it around the wall and in.
�� Hannah Harper scored twice in the first half - including on this free kick - as the @MacEwanGriffins lead @ReginaCougars 2-0.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/DxooWDww2O
— MacEwan Griffins Women's Soccer (@Griffins_WSOC) September 28, 2024
Then Harper headed home an Anneke Odinga cross in the 33rd, drew an assist on Paquin's terrific 80th minute strike from distance – flicking a header backwards in midfield to send her in untouched – and completed the hat trick by converting an 87th minute penalty kick after she was fouled.
W⚽️| RECAP
— MacEwan Griffins (@MacEwanGriffins) September 28, 2024
Hannah Harper matches a program record with a four-point game as @Griffins_WSOC crushes the @ReginaCougars 5-0 on a day the 2013 team was inducted into the @MacEwanU Athletics Wall of Distinction.#GriffNation
STORY➡️https://t.co/nOALA8ax8i pic.twitter.com/1DkE1LG9Fy
"I think our team just moved the ball around so well that I got so many high-quality opportunities based on how well our passing as a unit was," said Harper, who has moved into the Canada West scoring lead with six goals and five assists in seven games. "I think it was our team that allowed me to get all those goals."
Hannah Harper's second of today's game - a header on a nice interception by Brynn Hobal and set up from Anneke Odinga.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/xA57V5StC1
— MacEwan Griffins Women's Soccer (@Griffins_WSOC) September 28, 2024
With the result, the Griffins improve to 5-1-1, dropping the Cougars to 3-4-0.
The icing on the cake for MacEwan came late in stoppage time as rookie midfielder Paige Colby, subbed in in the 79th minute, scored her first career Canada West goal.
Mariah Arnott played her out wide right and her scintillating strike blew past Regina keeper Kareen Andersen.
The Griffins bench went wild.
"You saw how they erupted," said Cordeiro. "Paige Colby's been such an amazing rookie for us. She's stepped into so many different roles. She's started games, come off the bench, closed games.
"We're watching a future star in this conference and she's coming into her own as a rookie. She's come close a couple times. One was saved off the line on Sunday in Winnipeg and today, what a shot from distance to pick the top corner."
Griffins players surround Paige Colby (#16) after she scored her first career Canada West goal on Saturday (Norman Bo photo).
Goalkeepers Elizabeth Knight (first half) and Sabrina Alexander (second half) shared the shutout with two saves each.
Andersen stopped 13 for the Cougars as the Griffins finished with 29 shots (18 on net).
At half-time, the 2013 Griffins women's soccer team took to the field for a special ceremony as they became the first team inducted in the MacEwan Athletics' Wall of Distinction as part of the department's 50thanniversary celebrations.
They went a perfect 15-0 that season, winning both the CCAA and ACAC Championships, but current Griffins assistant coach Jenny Lam, who was a captain of the 2013 squad, spoke of the special bond that they remember most from that season.
"It's so great to be reunited again after all these years," she said. "Many of us have stayed in touch, but there's others who have drifted for various reasons. It's so amazing to see everyone again. It makes us feel like it was yesterday.
"It's such a special group and a special moment to share. To share it front of this team (the current Griffins, who were watching the ceremony from the sideline) as well, on a (day we got a) win, we couldn't ask for more."
The Griffins will next host Saskatchewan (4-1-2) on Sunday (12 p.m., Edmonton Scottish, Canada West TV). Regina visits Alberta on Sunday at the same time.
