Canada West Communications
VANCOUVER - MacEwan Griffins captain Samantha Gouveia was named the Canada West Women's Soccer Player of the Week after leading the Griffins to their first-ever national title on Sunday in Sydney, N.S.
The fifth-year Griffin was named the national tournament MVP, a tournament all-star, and was recognized as a Second Team All-Canadian at the event. MacEwan knocked off Canada West champions, the Trinity Western Spartans, in penalty kicks in Sunday's championship match.
"Samantha Gouveia, what a leader, what a workhorse, what a special person and what a quality footballer," said Griffins head coach Dean Cordeiro following MacEwan's 3-2 win. "Blocking shots, connecting passes, winning headers, organizing, controlling the game, pulling the strings – just a master class this whole weekend and all season.
"I'm just so proud of her and all our senior players. What a way to go out, to win your final university game, to be on top of U SPORTS. It's quite the story."
The Edmonton product did not leave the pitch in MacEwan's three matches, helping the back line from the centre back position.
The Griffins won their quarter-final matchup with Queen's 2-1, defeated UBC 2-1 in extra time in a rematch of the CW semifinal, before meeting up with the Spartans in the final.
