Griffins aim to remain present and keep improving as they gun for six points on B.C. road trip
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 |
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2 | 1 | 3 |
Team Stats
UFV
| Game Statistics | MacEwan University | UFV |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 12 (7) | 7 (5) |
| Saves | 2 | 7 |
| Fouls | 16 | 14 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 4 |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – It was the type of heartbreak that could have lingered another day, or even another week or two if the Griffins men's soccer team let it.
Denied their first win of the season on Sept. 6 when Saskatchewan scored on the second phase of a corner kick in the seventh minute of extra time – the final play of the game – to force a 1-1 draw, the Griffins had to rely on their mental fortitude to move on.
"Every game is extremely important, but we can't let the last game interfere with the next game, otherwise we won't be able to put our best foot forward for that game and be present," said Griffins head coach Adam Loga. "That's kind of been the message all the time, especially after last weekend.
"We're kind of having that loser mentality if we're letting Saturday creep into Sunday, so we just have to hit that reset button and have a short memory because this league doesn't let you – never mind have a long memory – it doesn't even allow you to reflect. You don't have time to reflect on the previous match because you're back at it in 20 hours."
It will be the same again this weekend as the Griffins hit the road for matches in B.C. against UFV on Friday (8 p.m. MT) and at Trinity Western on Saturday (8:15 p.m. MT, both Canada West TV).
Points are crucial at this stage as they 0-3-2 Griffins sit three points back of Lethbridge for the final playoff spot in the Prairie Division and have played one more game.
"These next two weekends are pretty crucial to pick up points because of that last second against U of S," said Loga.
Don't expect the Griffins to be getting any healthier either. They've already had one game this season where they could only round up 17 healthy players, and it will again be a challenge for them to field a standard 18 this weekend.
"We're getting better every week, which we promised ourselves (we'd do) this year," said Loga. "We're having guys step up and do things they're maybe a bit uncomfortable doing, in terms of positions or tactical pieces, but with the shortened lineup due to some injuries and knocks, and potentially some suspensions with yellow cards, we just need to be pro-active and efficient."
