Three Stars: McCarthy, Arnott, Creek earn first honours of 2021-22 season
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Women's soccer student-athlete Raeghan McCarthy is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after her performance in last Saturday's home opener against Alberta.
McCarthy opened the scoring just 2:30 into the contest and the goal stood up as the game-winner in a 2-0 triumph over MacEwan's cross-town rivals.
Other athletes recognized this week include second star Mariah Arnott of the women's soccer team and third star Liam Creek of the men's soccer team.
1st STAR: Raeghan McCarthy, M, women's soccer (Edmonton, AB, fourth-year, Science)
Although it was the first Griffins women's soccer game in 672 days, it didn't take Raeghan McCarthy very long to pick up where she left off as a top scorer in Canada West.
Just two minutes and 30 seconds, actually.
McCarthy scored the first goal in any U SPORTS soccer game this season when she took a Samantha Gouveia free kick pass and blasted it past Alberta goalkeeper Ashley Turner for what would stand up as the game-winner in a 2-0 Griffins triumph.
In the process, McCarthy also tied the program record for the most career Canada West game-winning goals by a Griffin (6), matching former teammate Suekiana Choucair.
Mariah Arnott showed her skill during preseason matches against UNBC (above) and Trinity Western, producing three goals and three assists in five games (Chris Piggott photo).
2nd STAR: Mariah Arnott, M/F, women's soccer (Winnipeg, MB, first-year, Science)
Mariah Arnott saw 35 minutes of action in MacEwan's opening game of the Canada West season – her first official U SPORTS contest after entering the program as a rookie in 2021.
However, the Winnipeg product is netting second star honours this week for her work in the preseason, leading the Griffins with three goals and three assists in five exhibition games.
Part of a promising group of first-years on the Griffins, Arnott's non-conference performances show what she's capable of.
Arnott and the Griffins will next hit the field on Sunday vs. Calgary (12 p.m., Clareview Stadium, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).
Liam Creek scored twice during MacEwan's intra-squad game on Saturday as they continue to prepare for their Canada West opener on Sept. 25 (Chris Piggott photo).
3rd STAR: Liam Creek, F, men's soccer (Royston, BC, third-year, Arts)
While the Griffins men's soccer team awaits a late start to the Canada West season, which kicks off on three fronts this Friday, it doesn't mean they've been idle.
In preparation for the club's season opener on Sept. 25 vs. Alberta (2:30 p.m., Clareview Stadium, Canada West TV presented by Co-op), they held an intra-squad game last Saturday.
Speedy forward Liam Creek was the star, netting two goals in the contest.
Creek is entering his third season with the Griffins and has two assists in 17 career games (four starts) to his credit.
