Three Stars: McCarthy, Sievert, Colby earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Women's soccer student-athlete Raeghan McCarthy is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after scoring three goals in the Griffins' season-opening series vs. Manitoba.
The games were McCarthy's first as a Griffin in four years after she returned for her fifth year of eligibility in 2025.
Men's soccer midfielder Jakob Sievert and women's soccer midfielder Paige Colby were named the second and third stars of the week, respectively.
It's the first time for all three making the Three Stars list in 2025-26.
Raeghan McCarthy scored three goals on 11 shots (eight on goal) during the Griffins' season opening series against Manitoba (Norman Bo photo).
1st STAR: Raeghan McCarthy, M, women's soccer
Edmonton, AB, fifth-year, Arts
In an absolutely incredible return to the Griffins, McCarthy scored two goals in the first half of her first match with the team in four years.
Among the top goal scorers in program history – including scoring in the 2021 national final to help deliver a U Sports championhip to MacEwan – McCarthy decided to return for her fifth year of eligibility and it's already paying off.
In Friday's 3-1 win over Manitoba, she scored on an 11th minute penalty to open the scoring and then tallied the game-winning goal – the ninth of her career – in the 32nd minute.
In Saturday's 3-1 win over Manitoba, she opened the scoring in the 35th minute. Combined in both contests, McCarthy had 11 shots and eight shots on goal.
McCarthy, who tops the Griffins in points, shots and shots on goal, will lead the team out on the road this weekend with matches at Calgary (Sept. 6, 12 p.m.) and Mount Royal (Sept. 7, 1 p.m., both Canada West TV).
Captain Jakob Sievert scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute as the Griffins played to a 2-2 draw against Alberta in their home opener Saturday (Norman Bo photo).
2nd STAR: Jakob Sievert, M, men's soccer
Ravengiersburg, Germany, fifth-year, Commerce
After another strong game sweeping the midfield and bringing his trademark intensity to the pitch on Saturday, Sievert scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute to deliver a 2-2 draw with cross-town rival Alberta.
After a brilliant long ball played in by Liam Van Laar went off a Golden Bears defender, Sievert jumped on it and wired a low shot inside the right post.
The result netted the Griffins their first point of the young Canada West season.
Sievert led the Griffins with two shots on goal in the contest. For the season, he's second on the team in that category and tied for second in points.
He will lead the team into two more home games this weekend as the Griffins welcome Saskatchewan on Saturday and Lethbridge on Sunday (both 12 p.m., Edmonton Scottish, Canada West TV).
Paige Colby scored the game-winning goal for the Griffins in Saturday's 3-1 win over Manitoba and also added an assist in their Friday victory (Norman Bo photo).
3rd STAR: Paige Colby, M, women's soccer
Chilliwack, BC, second-year, Science
After a terrific debut season in 2024-25 that resulted in her being named to the Canada West All-Rookie team, Colby built on that with an outstanding performance on the Griffins' season-opening weekend.
In Friday's 3-1 win over Manitoba, she played a full 90 minutes controlling the midfield for the Griffins, had two shots and picked up an assist on Alyx Henderson's 60th minute insurance marker.
Ella Fownes' long free kick was stopped up by Grace Mwasalla before Colby jumped in front of a Manitoba clearing attempt and nudged the ball forward to Henderson, who chipped it over the keeper for a 3-0 MacEwan lead at the time.
In Saturday' 3-1 win over Manitoba, Colby scored the game-winning goal in the 43rd minute when her corner kick went off a defender's head and into the net. She also played 90 minutes in that one and had three shots on goal.
Colby and the Griffins next head out on a road trip to visit Calgary on Sept. 6 (12 p.m.) and Mount Royal on Sept. 7 (1 p.m., both Canada West TV).
