Three Stars: Mwasalla, Dugas, Ettinger earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Women's soccer student-athlete Grace Mwasalla is the MacEwan Athletics first star of the week after her performance on the weekend.
Mwasalla recorded a goal and an assist in a pair of weekend games to help the Griffins remain undefeated on the season.
Men's soccer midfielder Kayden Dugas and women's volleyball libero Bronwyn Ettinger were named the second and third stars of the week, respectively.
Mwasalla is making her third appearance on the three stars list, following first star honours on Aug. 29 and Sept. 5.
Both Dugas and Ettinger are appearing for the first time in 2023-24.
Grace Mwasalla scored her eighth goal of the season against Victoria on Sunday (Joel Kingston photo).
1st STAR: Grace Mwasalla, F, women's soccer
Calgary, AB, third-year, Arts
The Griffins' leading scorer continued to add to her points total on the weekend with a goal and an assist in one-and-nearly-a-half matches.
On Saturday against Mount Royal University, Mwasalla set up the Griffins' second goal by Brenna Paquin before the contest was halted due to the air quality index with MacEwan up 2-0 in the 35th minute. The contest will be resumed from that point at a yet-to-be-determined makeup date.
In Sunday's 1-1 draw vs. Victoria, Mwasalla opened the scoring in the 51st minute, beating two defenders to get onto the end of a Hannah Supina through ball and expertly volleying it past Victoria keeper Kayley Lidstone.
For the season, Mwasalla is now up to eight goals and 11 points*, which is tied for first in the conference.
The Griffins head out on an epic road trip this weekend, visiting UBC in Vancouver on Friday (6 p.m. MT) before heading to Prince George, B.C. for a Sunday match at UNBC (3:15 p.m. MT, both games on Canada West TV).
*Her official scoring tally won't yet show the assist against MRU because the game isn't concluded
Kayden Dugas goes up for a header against UBC on Saturday. The rookie earned MVP honours for the Griffins with a strong 90-minute performance (Rebecca Chelmick photo).
2nd STAR: Kayden Dugas, F/M, men's soccer
Edmonton, AB, first-year, Science
Although the Griffins suffered a tough 6-0 loss to UBC Saturday in their only action of the weekend after Sunday's match vs. Thompson Rivers was postponed due to the air quality index, Dugas' performance in midfield didn't go unnoticed.
The rookie sets the tone with his work rate, pace and energy, and deservedly earned his second start of the campaign on Saturday after not playing during their road trip to Calgary last weekend.
Dugas was named MVP of the game for the Griffins after a 90-minute performance that continued to demonstrate his improvement so far in his first university season.
The Griffins hit the road this weekend, bound for the West Coast where they'll meet Victoria on Friday (8:15 p.m. MT) and UFV on Sunday (1:30 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV).
Bronwyn Ettinger, seen in action last season, set the tone for the Griffins' passing attack with a couple of strong performances at the libero position against Lakeland College on the weekend (Robert Antoniuk photo).
3rd STAR: Bronwyn Ettinger, LB, women's volleyball
Edmonton, AB, second-year, Science
Set to take on a greater role with the Griffins in her second season at MacEwan, Ettinger is already showing she's ready be the team's starting libero, following the graduation of Megan Foxcroft.
In the squad's opening action of the preseason, Ettinger set the tone for the team's passing attack as the Griffins rolled to a pair of 3-1 victories over defending CCAA national champion Lakeland College at the David Atkinson Gym.
In total, Ettinger had 25 digs over the two matches (10 Friday and 15 Saturday), while passing at a 2.02 rating (out of three), which basically tracks how many options the attack has after your pass.
The Griffins' next preseason action is on the road at Mount Royal University this Friday (5 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m.).
