Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics 

EDMONTON – Recognition keeps rolling in for the MacEwan Griffins women's soccer team following their historic U SPORTS national championship victory last November.

The latest: the Alberta Soccer Association's prestigious 2021 Golden Shoe award, which was presented to them during a banquet in Calgary on Saturday night.

The honour goes to the team of the year in the province across all levels.

"It's truly special," said Griffins head coach Dean Cordeiro. "It caps off what was a remarkable season. We're so proud of this group and everything we've been able to accomplish.

"It's a very hard award to win because it's not just university teams – it's out of all the teams across the province. So, it means a lot for ASA to feel we're deserving of such a prestigious award."

Grace Mwasalla takes to the mic in Calgary as Abbey Wright holds the Golden Shoe trophy (Michelle Holmes, ASA photo).

Cordeiro was in attendance at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino to receive the award, along with three players from his leadership group – Calgarians Sofia DiGiacomo, Abbey Wright and Grace Mwasalla.

He noted that highlights of the night included meeting the president of the Canadian Soccer Association and receiving the award from former Canada West soccer commissioner Gord Franson.

"Meeting Nick Bontis was surreal," said Cordeiro of the CSA president, who chatted with the team and posed for pictures with them. "He was so happy for our team, having competed in U SPORTS himself."

The award was presented by Franson.

"For him to be in attendance and put together a write-up (was special)," said Cordeiro. "He talked about us entering the league and always keeping an eye on us – seeing how we grew over the years. Just to hear all those kind words from Gord, who has seen our growth come in the seven years we've been in the league, it meant everything to myself and the players in attendance. I really appreciated that."