Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
CAPE BRETON, N.S. – MacEwan Griffins women's soccer captain Samantha Gouveia has been named to the U SPORTS second all-star team.
The sterling fifth-year centre-back is appearing on a U SPORTS all-star team for the first time in her university career.
It's a fitting final season recognition for the graduating senior, who earlier was named to the Canada West first all-star team. This all comes after an injury kept her out of much of her last season (in 2019).
"Especially coming off of an injury, I had a disappointing season, so obviously, this year I wanted to achieve some goals with the team and also individually," she said. "I think a special night like this is a testament to all of our hard work. Although I accept this individually, as much as it is for myself, it's also for our team, as well. It's because of all of our hard work. And it's paying off."
The U SPORTS women's soccer all-star announcements came during the tournament's awards gala on Wednesday night.
MacEwan will play a quarter-final match vs. Queen's on Thursday morning (7:30 a.m. MT WATCH HERE).
Gouveia is the third Griffins player to be named to a U SPORTS all-star team, following Jamie Erickson (first team in 2019-20) and Emily Burns (second team in 2019-20).
Additionally, two Griffins have been named to the U SPORTS All-Rookie team in the past – Hannah Supina (2018-19) and Sofia DiGiacomo (2019-20).
Griffins head coach Dean Cordeiro said Gouveia's impact with the program has been immeasurable since coming in a rookie in 2016.
"What she means to this team is difficult to put into words," he said. "The amount of work she does off the pitch – I'm just so proud of her. She is instrumental in everything we do on the field; building up phases and she's a rock defensively. She is such a strong leader – her voice resonates with her teammates. It takes players like her to get a team to the next level. She is always motivating and inspiring the next generation of players.
"I'm so happy to see her get this recognition - she deserves it. She's a class player – and an even better human being."
Samantha Gouveia poses with her award at the U SPORTS women's soccer nationals banquet in Cape Breton on Wednesday night (Jefferson Hagen photo).
