Three Stars: Erickson, Prasad, Kinsella earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Jamie Erickson is MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after leading the Griffins women's soccer team in their final weekend of the regular season.
Erickson was the Griffins' player of the game in a 1-0 loss at UBC-Okanagan on Saturday before scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Thompson Rivers University on Sunday.
Other athletes recognized during the past week include second star Sheldon Prasad of the men's soccer team and Cassidy Kinsella of the women's volleyball team.
All three are making their first appearance of the season on the MacEwan Athletics' Three Stars list.
1ST STAR: Jamie Erickson, D, women's soccer (Edmonton, AB, third-year, Science)
A rock-solid defender for the Griffins on the weekend with several intercepts blocks and tackles, the centre-back also contributed offensively, scoring the game-winning goal for MacEwan in Sunday's 2-0 win at Thompson Rivers University in the team's regular-season finale. Erickson's booming free kick from midfield deflected in off a TRU defender to give the Griffins the only goal they would need. Erickson was also named the Griffins' player of the game during Saturday's 1-0 loss at UBC-Okanagan. She will lead the Griffins into the first round of the playoffs against Mount Royal University on Friday (2 p.m., Foote Field).
2ND STAR: Sheldon Prasad, D, men's soccer (Edmonton, AB, first-year, Arts)
Playing 90 minutes in both of MacEwan's final two games of the 2017 regular season, the first-year player made several key defensive plays. His work in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Mount Royal included a save off the line in the first half, which ultimately secured a point for the Griffins to keep them out of the Canada West cellar. In a 4-0 loss to Calgary on Sunday, his dangerous crosses and corner kicks were placed in just the right areas, but the Griffins were unable to convert them. Prasad and the Griffins have concluded their 2017 season with a 2-10-2 record, finishing 12th in Canada West.
Sheldon Prasad looks to move the ball against Mount Royal University in Saturday's game (Chris Piggott photo).
3RD STAR: Cassidy Kinsella, women's volleyball (Leduc, AB, fifth-year, Science)
MacEwan's all-time career kills leader (1,150, including a year of ACAC play) moved into the top 15 in Canada West career leaders for that stat (982) by recording a combined 27 kills in a pair of weekend losses at Thompson Rivers University. She had 19 kills on a .275 hitting percentage in Friday's 3-2 defeat, adding three service aces, two block assists and 10 digs. In Saturday's 3-0 loss, Kinsella was again the Griffins' top player with eight kills on a .214 percentage, adding seven digs and a block assist. Additionally, Kinsella moved into the top 20 in Canada West in career points with 1124.5. The outside hitter will lead the Griffins into their home opener on Saturday vs. cross-town rival Alberta (5 p.m., Atkinson Gym).
Cassidy Kinsella, seen against Mount Royal in a preseason match, led the Griffins with 27 kills in two matches at Thompson Rivers University to open the season (Robert Antoniuk photo).
