Road Preview: Griffins MSOC kicks off stretch drive with Calgary weekend; VB off to York

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Fresh off a potential season-changing 4-0 win over the Lethbridge Pronghorns at home last Sunday, the MacEwan Griffins head to Calgary for a pair of pivotal road games as they kick off the stretch drive of the Canada West men’s soccer season.

With just four games left in the 2024 regular season, points are crucial as the Griffins aim to return to the post-season for the first time since 2021.

MEN’S SOCCER

On Tap

Oct. 5: at Calgary (5-1-4), 2 p.m., Canada West TV

Oct. 6: at Mount Royal (4-1-5), 3 p.m., Canada West TV

Last meetings

Sept. 7: T, 1-1 vs. MRU

Sept. 8: L, 2-0 vs. Calgary

Playoff implications

The Griffins (3-6-1) enter the weekend two points back of Lethbridge (2-3-6) for the fourth and final playoff spot with a game in hand. They hold the season series tiebreaker against the Pronghorns should they end up tied in the standings. Fourth is the Griffins’ best chance as they are unlikely to catch either Calgary (nine points ahead) and MRU (seven points up).

Adam Loga Coach’s Quote:

“The boys have continued to endure and persevere over some of the setbacks and some of the unlucky bounces,” he said. “As we’ve chatted about previously, we’re hoping the bounces start to go in our favour. If Sunday was any indication of that, we have no reason not to believe in getting 4-6 points this weekend.”

Players to watch

MacEwan: Ali Yildiz – Fresh off tying the program record with two goals in last Sunday’s 4-0 win over Lethbridge (the 13^th time a Griffin has scored two in a Canada West regular season game), the third-year midfielder is proving to be lethal in the attacking third.

Calgary: Gianmarco Plenzik – The midfielder scored and added an assist when the Dinos visited the Griffins and came away with a 2-0 win last month. He’s tied for fourth in the conference with eight points in 10 games.

Mount Royal: Miguel Da Rocha – The midfielder who leads the Cougars in scoring with two goals and five points was the lone goal scorer when MRU last played the Griffins to a 1-1 draw at Edmonton Scottish last month.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Griffins men’s volleyball team is back on the road this weekend as they prepare for the 2024-25 season, which begins Oct. 18-19 vs. Trinity Western.

After playing a non-conference tournament in Calgary last weekend, the Griffins will head to Toronto for a pair of games against York University on Friday (6 p.m. MT) and Saturday (TBA).