Canada West Communications
EDMONTON – The MacEwan Griffins were voted 12th in the Canada West men's soccer coaches poll, the conference announced Thursday.
Two seasons removed from a playoff position in Canada West, the Griffins finished tied for the final spot in the Prairie Division with Saskatchewan last year but lost out on a tiebreaker.
UBC topped the 2023 CW coaches poll with 142 points, including 10 first-place votes, while reigning Prairie Division champs Mount Royal and Alberta rounded out the top three.
Defending U SPORTS national champion Thompson Rivers didn't receive any first-place votes and placed fourth.
The Griffins open the season on Friday vs. Lethbridge (13th in the poll) and Saskatchewan (eighth) on Saturday (both games 2:30 p.m., Clarke Stadium, Canada West TV).
The Canada West regular season runs through Oct. 22, with playoffs slated to begin Oct. 28.
For the complete 2023 Canada West men's soccer schedule, click here.
For a compete team-by-team preview, click here.
Coach's quote
"Recently, we have always been in-and-around the playoffs. As we know there are always many ups and downs throughout the season, it is important that we stay focused, composed, and most importantly together. We believe in this group, and they believe in themselves - hopefully we can make a run." - Adam Loga
Key Performer: Chance Carter
While several new intriguing pieces have been added to the Griffins, including former Griffins Ali Yildiz and Michael Enes who have returned to the team from overseas pro experiences, the linchpin of the squad is former FC Edmonton pro Chance Carter. The central midfielder is crucial to winning and keeping possession for the Griffins, using his power and speed to control play in the middle of the pitch. Perhaps the biggest indication of his importance is how much the Griffins missed him after he sat out five games with injury in 2022 and wasn't 100 per cent in a few others, leading to MacEwan falling from first place in the Prairie Division midseason to out of the playoffs.
2023 CW MSOC PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL
Team - Points (First-place votes)
UBC Thunderbirds - 142 (10)
Mount Royal Cougars – 125 (2)
Alberta Golden Bears – 123 (1)
Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 102
Trinity Western Spartans – 98
Calgary Dinos - 85
UNBC Timberwolves – 84
Saskatchewan Huskies - 70
Victoria Vikes - 55
Fraser Valley Cascades - 54
UBCO Heat – 32
MacEwan Griffins - 30
Lethbridge Pronghorns - 14
