Three Stars: Mwasalla, Wutzl, Shimoda earn honours
https://canadawest.tvMacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Women's soccer student-athlete Grace Mwasalla is the MacEwan Athletics' first star of the week after breaking the program's all-time goals record.
With a brace in the second half against Regina on Sunday – her 35th and 36th career goals – she moved past Paty Batallas (34 goals in 1993-94, 1997).
Men's soccer centre-back Philip Wutzl and women's volleyball setter Payton Shimoda are the second and third stars of the week, respectively.
It's the second appearance on the Three Stars list for Mwasalla (who was previously first star on Sept. 16) while both Wutzl and Shimoda are appearing for the first time in 2025-26.
Grace Mwasalla corrals a pass during Saturday's match at Saskatchewan. A day later in Regina, she scored twice to break the program's all-time goals record (Electric Umbrella photo).
1st STAR: Grace Mwasalla, F, women's soccer
Calgary, AB, fifth-year, Arts
Coming out with another clutch performance in a long line of them in her career, Mwasalla broke open a 1-1 tie on Sunday at Regina with two second-half goals.
On her first one in the 67th minute, she got on the end of a long Ella Fownes pass, had a brilliant touch and slotted it for the 35th goal of her career that broke the program's all-time goals record that had stood for 28 years (Paty Batallas with 34 from 1993-94, 1997).
The tally also proved to be Mwasalla's program-leading 12th career game-winning goal, which moves her within one of the Canada West record.
When she scored again in the 90th minute – a top shelf blast off a Sophie Lavallee back pass to the top of the box – Mwasalla moved into a tie for ninth in career goals in Canada West history with 36.
For the season, Mwasalla is tied for the Griffins' lead with five goals, while she's second in shots (22) and shots on goal (12).
The Griffins will be back on the road this weekend, visiting Lethbridge for matches on Saturday (2:15 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m., both Canada West TV).
Phiip Wutzl takes to the air to clear a ball out of harm's way against Calgary last Sunday. He was a big reason why the Griffins knocked off the then-U SPORTS No. 9 1-0 (Husain Dhooma photo).
2nd STAR: Philip Wutzl, D, men's soccer
St. Florian bei Linz, AUT, second-year, Commerce
Stepping up and playing big minutes for a Griffins team that's been hit with a wave of injuries, Wutzl was a tower of power in the middle of the defence over the weekend.
Sunday's performance against then-U SPORTS No. 9 Calgary was perhaps his best game as a Griffin as he stood tall and led MacEwan to a 1-0 victory – their first of the season.
Wutzl played a steady shutdown game, winning his duals and battles to repel one of the best attacks in the country.
On set pieces, which has been an Achilles' heel for the Griffins in the past, the 6-foot-3 centre-back was a big part of shutting down all of the Dinos' attempts.
The Griffins are on the "road" this weekend, but still in town, as they visit the Alberta Golden Bears on Saturday (2:15 p.m., Canada West TV).
Payton Shimoda, seen in action against Manitoba last season, had 75 assists in two non-conference matches at Dalhousie over the weekend (Zachary Peters photo).
3rd STAR: Payton Shimoda, S, women's volleyball
Edmonton, AB, fifth-year, Commerce
In mid-season form in the Griffins' first preseason match last Friday, Shimoda recorded 45 assists in just four sets of MacEwan's 3-1 victory over Halifax-based opponent Dalhousie.
Her varied attack led to double digit kill numbers for three Griffins players – Alyshia Bryks (18), Arden Butler (16) and Kara Frith (14).
Shimoda added 30 assists in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Dalhousie.
Heading into her final season of university eligibility, Shimoda is already the program's all-time assists leader with 2,144.
She is within reach of the Canada West top-10 career list, needing at least 797 assists in 2025-26 to join the exclusive group. She is 407 back of cracking the top 20 in conference history.
The Griffins are preparing for their regular season-opening weekend at Calgary Oct. 17-18.
