Three Stars: Yildiz, Mahfouz, Mortensen earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Men's soccer student-athlete Ali Yildiz is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after recording a goal and an assist in the Griffins' season-opening two-game road trip.
The fourth-year attacker's signature moment was scoring on a volley after a booming long pass from goalkeeper Oleksandr Popravka against the Mount Royal Cougars on Sunday.
Men's soccer teammate Macky Mahfouz and women's soccer midfielder Bryn Mortensen were named the second and third stars, respectively, in the first Three Stars recognition of the 2025-26 season.
Ali Yildiz had a two-point weekend on the Griffins' season-opening road trip to Calgary (Daniel Zappe photo).
1st STAR: Ali Yildiz, M, men's soccer
Edmonton, AB, fourth-year, Commerce
The veteran attacker finished the team's season-opening series with a goal and an assist, driving offence in both contests in Calgary.
In Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Calgary Dinos, Yildiz fed Macky Mahfouz for the Griffins' only goal and played a huge full 90-minute role for MacEwan, who were down to 10 men for a third of the game.
In Sunday's 3-1 loss to Mount Royal, Yildiz opened the scoring in the 48th minute after corralling a booming Oleksandr Popravka goal kick and volleying it past MRU goalkeeper Sjard Strauss.
Yildiz also finished with a team-high three shots (two on goal) in the contest.
For the season, Yildiz is tied for sixth in Canada West scoring.
The co-captain will lead the Griffins into their home opener on Saturday vs. Alberta (2:30 p.m., Clarke Stadium, Canada West TV).
Rookie Macky Mahfouz (11) scored the Griffins' lone goal against Calgary on Saturday (Chris Lindsey photo).
2nd STAR: Macky Mahfouz, F, men's soccer
Edmonton, AB, first-year, Science
And the answer to the trivia question of who scored the Griffins' first goal of the 2025-26 season has been answered as Macky Mahfouz holds the distinction.
After taking an Ali Yildiz pass to his boot at the top of the box in the 33rd minute against Calgary last Saturday, the electric striker cooked a defender and finished with authority, going off the far right post and in.
It's the first career Canada West goal for the BTB Academy product.
Mahfouz also finished with a team-high three shots (two on goal) in the contest.
He will again be a big part of the Griffins' fortunes in Saturday's home opener vs. Alberta (2:30 p.m., Clarke Stadium, Canada West TV).
Bryn Mortensen had two strong games in the Griffins' pair of preseason victories over Regina last week, recording two assists (Jefferson Hagen photo).
3rd STAR: Bryn Mortensen, M, women's soccer
Calgary, AB, third-year, Arts
The veteran midfielder is already in fine form, producing back-to-back solid performances in a pair of preseason games against Regina last week.
Mortensen combined to finish with two assists in the contests, and ended the Griffins' perfect 6-0 preseason slate tied for first in points on the team (four assists) with Sophie Lavallee (four goals) and Alyx Henderson (three goals and an assist).
In both 4-1 victories over Regina, Mortensen was all over the pitch, showing off her creativity on the ball, connecting passes, sticking tackles and controlling the midfield.
She intercepted a ball and set up the first goal of the game last Thursday and delivered a perfect ball off a set piece for another helper the day before.
Mortensen and the Griffins are preparing for their home opener on Friday vs. Manitoba (12 p.m., Clarke Stadium, Canada West TV).
