Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Continuity is important for a Griffins women's soccer team looking to run it back a season after winning MacEwan's first U SPORTS championship.
While that means several players – (23 to be exact) – are returning from that 2021 gold medal squad, it also refers to the ongoing winning culture being instilled in all 31 student-athletes in the program.
That starts at the top with the team's leadership group. Captain Samantha Gouveia is now a mental skills coach with the squad after graduating from the program, which means a passing of the torch is in order.
MacEwan's new captain is fourth-year defender Hannah Supina, who will lead the Griffins into their 2022 Canada West home opener on Friday vs. Alberta (6 p.m., Clarke Stadium, with a pre-game U SPORTS Championship ceremony starting at 4:45 p.m., Canada West TV)).
Fifth-year midfielder Erin Van Dolder, second year attacker Grace Mwasalla and third-year defender Abbey Wright will serve as assistants in a leadership group that will ensure the championship culture flows to everyone in the room.
"I want to lead by example this year and I want to empower the other incredible leaders we have on our team," said Supina, a 2018-19 member of the U SPORTS All-Rookie team. "I believe that everybody should have a voice and everybody on our team is capable of leading and stepping up.
"I want to make sure everyone reaches their full potential and really believes in themselves because every single person on this team has so much to bring to the table."
Hannah Supina, seen in preseason action against Saskatchewan, made the U SPORTS All-Rookie team in 2018-19 (Jefferson Hagen photo).
Supina was a member of the 2018-19 U SPORTS All-Rookie team and has been a rock defensively for the Griffins ever since. Head coach Dean Cordeiro noted she was a natural choice for captain.
"Since Day 1, Hannah has checked all the boxes," he said. "She leads by example. She's always there for her teammates.
"When she speaks, everyone listens. There's something about her and the way she leads. She captivates the group. She brings a lot of energy and fun. Hannah was the perfect fit for us in a seamless transition from Samantha to Hammer – the passing of the torch."
There's no doubt the Griffins have lost some key pieces from their championship team a year ago. Besides Gouveia, who won the U SPORTS tournament MVP award, fellow tournament all-stars Meagan Lemoine and Kaylin Hermanutz have graduated. Also gone are high-powered scorers Raeghan McCarthy and Salma Kamel.
But they're not expected to miss a beat with a cast of strong players waiting in the wings for their chance to shine and a bumper crop of top rookies pushing for minutes.
"It's not a lot different than what happened in 2019," said Cordeiro. "We had five amazing seniors move on. They were all starters and played a big role. 2021 is very similar with us graduating five seniors.
"In 2022, we've stocked the cupboards, as I like to say. There were a lot of players in their first year last year who got important minutes and played important roles. Now, they're going to have the opportunity to compete to start and have their role completely changed, being leaned on heavier. Internally, we'll see that organic growth within our team with players ready for more.
"Then we're very excited about our 2022 class," he continued. "I think we have some very important positions we've been able to add that are unique to the positions of the starters who have graduated."
Grace Mwasalla, who led the Griffins in scoring as a rookie last season, will be key to the team's scoring attack again (Jefferson Hagen photo).
They'll be under the gun right away with every opponent sending their best against the U SPORTS defending champs.
"We know we have a huge target on our backs this year, but that's not going to stop us," said Supina. "That's not going to scare us. We're all super motivated and we're in this together. We're ready to win again."
Ranked third in the recently released Canada West preseason coaches' poll, the Griffins will attempt to become the first women's soccer team in 11 years to repeat as U SPORTS champions.
"For us, it's just about doing what we need to do to be successful on and off the pitch," said Cordeiro. "There's a lot of experience gained when you're able to climb the top of the mountain. In seven short seasons, we've been able to do that, so I'm super proud about that.
"I know it sounds cliché, but nothing is going to change in our approach. We're going to take it one game at a time, one week at a time. We know there are going to be peaks and valleys throughout the season that we're going to have to weather and it will make us stronger. We have a goal."
