Three Stars: Mwasalla, Ajab, Harper earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Women's soccer student-athlete Grace Mwasalla is the MacEwan Athletics first star of the week after a three-point weekend in road games at Saskatchewan and Regina.
With a goal and two assists, the fourth-year forward set a new record for the most career Canada West points by a Griffin.
Men's soccer midfielder Jamal Ajab and women's soccer forward/midfielder Hannah Harper were named the second and third stars, respectively.
Just two weeks into 2024-25 Three Stars recognition and Mwasalla is already making the list for the second time, having been named third star last week. Both Ajab and Harper appear for the first time.
Grace Mwasalla heads the ball during action at Saskatchewan last Saturday. She had two points in the game to become the program's career CW points leader (Electric Umbrella photo).
1st STAR: Grace Mwasalla, F, women's soccer
Chatham, ON, fourth-year, Arts
In an impressive showing less than 12 months after suffering a major knee injury, Mwasalla returned to the pitch for a three-point weekend on MacEwan's season-opening road trip.
By setting up Alyx Henderson for the team's first goal of the season in the 29th minute against Saskatchewan on Saturday, Mwasalla broke the program record for the most career Canada West points.
She had shared the mark of 36 with Suekiana Choucair (2015-19) entering the season, but now sits at 39 after also scoring against Saskatchewan and drawing an assist on Hannah Harper's goal against Regina on Sunday.
In leading MacEwan to a four-point road trip on their opening weekend, Mwasalla also registered two shots on goal.
The Griffins return for their home-opening weekend vs. Calgary on Saturday (12 p.m.) and vs. Lethbridge on Sunday (12 p.m., both Edmonton Scottish Dome, Canada West TV).
Jamal Ajab fends off Mount Royal's Skyler Rogers on Saturday. He had an assist in his Canada West debut after recovering from a serious knee injury in June 2023 (Norman Bo photo).
2nd STAR: Jamal Ajab, M, men's soccer
Edmonton, AB, first-year, Arts
Making a triumphant return to the pitch after an ACL tear in June 2023 cost him a season, Ajab had a highlight-reel assist in his Canada West debut – MacEwan's home opener on Saturday.
The Archbishop O'Leary product shimmied past a Mount Royal defender in the left corner and sent a dart onto the boot of Chance Carter in the middle of the box, who made no mistake.
The goal allowed the Griffins to earn a 1-1 draw with the defending Canada West champions.
Ajab added a shot on goal in 45 minutes of action against Calgary on Sunday.
The Griffins hit the road this weekend for matches on Friday at Thompson Rivers (8 p.m. MT) and Sunday at UNBC (3:30 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV).
Hannah Harper (7) celebrates with teammates after setting up Grace Schimpf (33) off a first-half free kick to put the Griffins up 3-0 on Regina Sunday (Calvin Hui photo).
3rd STAR: Hannah Harper, F/M, women's soccer
Edmonton, AB, second-year, Arts
Named Game MVP for her impressive performance in MacEwan's 3-0 win over Regina on Sunday, Harper showed she's ready to take the next step after a solid rookie season in 2023
The electric forward/attacking midfielder was played in by Grace Mwasalla in the 22nd minute and went one-on-one with a defender up the right side. After a series of fakes, she sent a sharp-angle strike bar down in a truly special highlight-reel goal.
Later in the first half, she hopped on a free kick from just outside the box, but instead of curling it over the wall and in, she deftly laid it off to Grace Schimpf, who was wide open for the Griffins' third goal of the contest.
For the weekend, Harper finished with two shots, one on target.
The Griffins will host Calgary on Saturday (12 p.m.) and Lethbridge on Sunday (12 p.m., both Edmonton Scottish Dome, Canada West TV).
