Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

REGINA, Sask. – Continuing to prove she's one of the most clutch players ever to suit up in Canada West, Grace Mwasalla scored two second-half goals – including her 12^th-career game-winner – as the MacEwan Griffins survived a strong challenge from the Regina Cougars to post a 3-1 victory on Sunday.

It's the Griffins' first road win of the 2025 season and moves them to 6-3-1 in the standings, a point ahead of Saskatchewan (6-4-0), whom they lost to on Saturday, for third in the Prairie Division.

"We needed somebody to step up big today," said Griffins head coach Dean Cordeiro. "It was one of those games. We asked a little bit more from our captains, in particular, and you saw Anneke (Odinga) and Grace score the goals today. 

"We were coming off a disappointing performance yesterday when we weren't at our best. We needed to respond today. Again, full credit the University of Regina. They made things difficult for us. They're a physical team, they press well. 

"But when we needed someone to break open the game, Grace made that happen in the second half. She's a big-time player. She comes up clutch when the team needs her. Love to see it."

Mwasalla's 12th game-winner moves her within one GWG of the Canada West all-time record of 13, held by UBC's Jasmine Dhanda (2013-17).

On her winning tally in the 67^th minute, which came off a gorgeous corralling of a long Ella Fownes pass before she slotted it past Regina keeper, Mwasalla also recorded her 50^th career point and 35^th career goal. 

GOAL��
A look at Grace Mwasalla's 12th career game-winning goal, 35th career goal and 50th career point!#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/hWfc1CnpaR

— MacEwan Griffins Women's Soccer (@Griffins_WSOC) September 28, 2025

That moves her past Griffins Wall of Distinction member Paty Batallas (34 goals in the ACAC from 1993-94, 1997) for the all-time goals mark in MacEwan history.

After scoring her 36^th career regular season goal to put the game away in the 90^th minute on a top corner cracker, Mwasalla moved into a tie for ninth in Canada West history with Calgary's Montana Leonard (2016-19, 21). 

GOAL��
�� Grace Mwasalla with "an absolute torpedo" puts the game away in the 90th minute as @MacEwanGriffins defeat @ReginaCougars 3-1.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/pMwqlkAA6O

— MacEwan Griffins Women's Soccer (@Griffins_WSOC) September 28, 2025

"It's pretty remarkable," said Cordeiro. "That's a pretty impressive mark that I'm sure Paty's held for many years, so that's amazing to hear. It's truly special. It couldn't happen to a better person, leader – captain of our team. 

"This is including her missing half a season (with a knee injury) when she was having a crazy year (2023) and she played a season (not fully recovered) in 2024. It's just crazy when you put that into perspective with what she's achieving. 

"It just shows you with resiliency and the right mindset you can achieve these amazing accomplishments. That's just how Grace is wired. She's a super competitor."

Odinga gave the Griffins a 1-0 lead in the 14^th minute when she stole the ball off a defender's touch in the midfield, raced in on a breakaway and slotted it past keeper Peyton Magnuson.

"Anneke is usually inside the post on defensive corners, but she has so much speed and pace," said Cordeiro, who instructed her to stay high for her opportunity that came when Emma Clark cleared the ball off a corner. "How calm and collected she was to slot that. It was big to get the first goal of the game. It was nice to have her more advanced up the field and see how dangerous she can be."

GOAL��
Anneke Odinga steals the ball in midfield and makes no mistake on a breakaway to open the scoring for @MacEwanGriffins in the 14th minute in Regina.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/AP11PdXcsW

— MacEwan Griffins Women's Soccer (@Griffins_WSOC) September 28, 2025

Regina tied the game, though, on Taylor Mitchell's 34^th minute goal, making for some anxious moments for the Griffins, who dearly needed the win after dropping Saturday's contest.

But Mwasalla's brace made the difference, while Cordeiro also gave shoutouts to Amy Runquist, coming into the contest from the 37^th minute on, and rookie Ava Clermont, who made her Canada West debut after being subbed in in extra time.

Rookie goalkeeper Carly Uchacz made five saves for her second win of the season.

"Every game's so important," said Cordeiro. "You can't let the highs get too high and the lows get too low. There's so much parity in the league. It's so tough. When you're on the road it's even harder. We wanted to make sure we could respond and we did today. 

"This team's a resilient group. When our backs are up against the wall, we always seem to find a way and that's great to see. It was a big one today."

The Griffins are back on the road again next weekend when they visit Lethbridge for a pair of matches Oct. 4-5.