With strong mix of veterans and newcomers, Griffins set to kick off new season this weekend
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
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1 | 0 | 1 |
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1 | 3 | 4 |
Team Stats
Calgary
| Game Statistics | MacEwan University | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 5 (3) | 16 (6) |
| Saves | 2 | 2 |
| Fouls | 16 | 14 |
| Corner Kicks | 3 | 3 |
| Offsides | 2 | 2 |
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Led by co-captains Jakob Sievert and Ali Yildiz, the MacEwan Griffins men's soccer team heads into a fresh Canada West campaign with optimism as they chase a berth in the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Getting off to a strong start would go a long way in achieving that goal as they've narrowly missed the dance in three consecutive seasons.
MacEwan kicks off the 2025 campaign against a pair of Prairie Division rivals – at Calgary on Saturday (1 p.m.) and at Mount Royal on Sunday (4 p.m., both Canada West TV).
"We always want to start strong and get results," said head coach Adam Loga. "We've fallen short three of the last four years in playoffs and it's come down to the last game of the season.
"If we can pick up some points earlier rather than later, that's going to help our cause as we progress to our goal, which is playoffs."
Calgary finished second in the division last season at 7-2-5, while Mount Royal was third with the same record.
The Cougars advanced to the U SPORTS championship after winning a Canada West silver medal. Despite that, the Griffins did draw with MRU last season in a game they probably should have won.
"Every team's tough in this league," said Loga. "Time and time again, there's so much parity. Anyone can beat anyone.
"U of C's group won the League 1 championship playing together this summer, so they'll be hungry and a fairly well-oiled machine. We'll need to be organized on our end. MRU's been a dominant team and program for the last five or six years, going to nationals last year. So, we're looking to get results, for sure, knowing we can compete with them, but it's never easy in this conference and especially our division."
Ali Yildiz will be counted on for his leadership and offensive creation for the Griffins (Norman Bo photo).
Sievert and Yildiz step out of assistant captain roles into the co-captain's chairs this season and both are up to the challenge.
"I learned to be a role model and lead a group by coaching a U15 team (Free Footie)," said Sievert, who moved to Canada from Germany to play for the Griffins in 2021. "And last year, with Stew (Jamieson, the captain) injured, I could practise my leadership skills there and just be the guy on the field wearing the armband. He was a great role model and leader over the past few years, and I learned a lot from him. I'd say it's been an easy transition for me this year."
Both will be key pieces for the Griffins in the midfield with Sievert locking down the holding mid role, and Yildiz in more of an attacking position.
"We're doing well in the midfield," said Loga. "We've got some good first years coming in with Azar (El Khallaa) and Luther (Feulefack), and Jakob is our pillar as our fifth-year captain, as well as holding it down, being stable in our spine. With those two playing behind some technicians like Ali, Felix (Guité), Nic (Luczkiewicz), Macky (Mahfouz), etc., they should be able to sweep the front three fairly easily."
With leading scorer Ricky Yassin graduated and his eight points gone from the lineup, scoring will need to come from more of a committee approach. Loga has stocked his forward corps with a bunch of players capable of hitting the scoresheet.
"We definitely have some talent up top," he said. "We'll miss Ricky, for sure, but if two or three of the lads can score three or four goals each, we'll pass Ricky's total of last season. So, it will be by committee.
"We definitely have some dynamic players who know the structure very well and the system lends itself very well to their attributes and strengths as footballers. I think they'll find their moments, it's just whether they can capitalize when the opportunities come because they will come for sure."
Defensively, the Griffins have made a concerted effort to shore things up after allowing 35 goals against in 14 games last season. Star fifth-year player Chance Carter has been moved back to the centre-back position – where he was in 2021 when the Griffins made the playoffs. Additionally, Carter, defender T-Boy Fayia and goalkeeper Oleksandr Popravka are healthy again after battling injuries last season that cost them a combined 21 man games.
Goalkeeper Oleksandr Popravka is back healthy after his big season as a 32-year-old rookie for the Griffins in 2024 was cut short by injury (Norman Bo photo).
"Getting T-Boy back and hopefully healthy for this season is going to be huge," said Loga of the former FC Edmonton defender. "And Chance as well. I think we had T-Boy three games last year and Chance we had eight with suspension and his broken wrist. Obviously losing Oleks for four last year, as well, lightened our back line. Keeping them healthy is the No. 1 thing, but that just proves how much they bring to the table."
Moving Carter back to defence is about keeping him healthier with less load, allowing him to play more minutes in back-to-back games. That will complement a defensive group that also includes steady fullback Lucio Rivera.
"They've looked good," said Loga. "We're coming in with five clean sheets in a row, so hopefully we can carry that into the weekend."
Popravka anchors the goalkeeper position after a 1.50 goals against average in 2024 – the best by a Griffins keeper in their Canada West history. But behind him are three capable men as well.
"Oleks is playing well, he's just so experienced," said Loga. "David Sithole had a great season again in League 1 for BTB. He started all but one game there and played well. Kaleb backed up in League 1 with Scottish. And Keshawn (Nurse) is coming off a League 1 stint in Ontario. Between the four of them, I believe one or more will always be in form should we have to go to any one of them."
The Griffins will return to Edmonton for their home opener on Aug. 30 vs. cross-town rival Alberta (2:30 p.m., Clarke Stadium).
