Four Griffins make Canada West all-star teams after program-record 33-point regular season

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – After a dominant regular season where the MacEwan women's soccer team posted a program-record 33 points, four Griffins were named to Canada West all-star teams, the conference announced Thursday.

Both Anneke Odinga and Hannah Harper were selected to the first all-star team, Amelia Russo made the second team and Paige Colby was named to the all-rookie squad.

It remarkably marks the seventh-straight season the Griffins have had multiple players recognized by the conference.

"I'm so proud of their accomplishments," said head coach Dean Cordeiro. "Individually, they've all had great seasons so far. All four have been major contributors to the team's success."

Anneke Odinga is a Canada West first team all-star for a third-straight season (Norman Bo photo).

Odinga becomes the first player in program history to make the Canada West first all-star team in three-straight seasons after being selected in both 2022 and 2023. 

Her impressive 2024 campaign was not only filled with elite defensive play against some of the conference's best players, she also finished with three goals and six points. All three of her tallies came on PKs as she broke the program record for the most in a season.  

"She was leading all defenders in scoring and she's a rock defensively," said Cordeiro. "Annie just plays at a different speed from everyone else, she locks checks down and she's very hard to get around. Her defensive prowess is top notch. Her ability to drive play and create scoring opportunities is next level. 

"Anneke has really made a name for herself. She has become such a strong leader, being team captain, and all the work she does for this team, she's such a key contributor to what we do. It's great to see Anneke get the recognition she deserves."

Hannah Harper led the Griffins in scoring with 15 points, just two shy of the program record (Norman Bo photo).

Harper led the Griffins in scoring with seven goals and 15 points in 14 games, finishing just two points shy of Grace Mwasalla's program record she set in 2022. She also led the Griffins in shots (43) and shots on goal (21). 

"She's only a second-year player, so for her to have this type of season in a jump from Year 1 to Year 2 is very impressive," said Cordeiro. "We always knew Hannah had the skill-set and ability to perform at this level and I think she's still only scratching the surface of her full potential. I expect she is going to put up some major numbers here over her career.

"It doesn't matter who we're playing, Hannah is always stepping up," he added. "It's awesome to see that kind of production, two points shy of the record. Coming from the midfield position is unique and special because she's got so much defensive responsibility, as well. She's had a tremendous year, so it's awesome to see her receive recognition from the rest of the league."

In addition to her defensive responsibilities, Amelia Russo recorded five points, becoming a weapon for the Griffins on set pieces (Norman Bo photo).

Russo, who was previously a Canada West All-Rookie team member in 2022, added more offence to her stingy defensive game, recording three goals and five points in 14 matches as she became a weapon for the Griffins on set pieces.

"Russo's taken a big jump in Year 3 – every year with the team she just keeps getting stronger. She does a lot of the work that goes unnoticed so it's great to see her get the all-star nod she deserves. She is such an intelligent player and that allows her to break up so many plays. The amount of kilometres she runs, she's almost always in the team lead in distance covered in games based on the GPS system we have.

"She's lethal on set pieces and able to contribute on both ends, offensively and defensively. Whether she's the CDM for us or playing at centre-back, because she's done both throughout the year, she's such an important piece. I'm so pleased for Amelia to get this recognition."

Paige Colby scored twice and won the majority of her battles in midfield for the Griffins in her rookie season (Adrien Bazinet photo).

Colby went from playing 17 minutes in the Griffins' first match of the season to starting the team's final three games in a row, showing the progression she had as a rookie. The midfielder finished with two goals, but more importantly won the majority of her battles and locked things down defensively, playing either holding mid or in a box-to-box role.

"Paige has really emerged as major contributor," said Cordeiro. "As the season's gone on, she's gotten more and more comfortable and consistent, and her role has increased. Paige plays such a strong two-way game. 

"As a first year, to play such an important position and make such an impact is amazing. She's added with a couple goals, she's locked players down defensively, she's good in the air. She's just playing beyond her years. Paige has been a great addition, and her future is extremely bright."

Since joining the conference in 2014, the Griffins have now had 13 Canada West first team all-stars, nine make the second team, and eight players on the all-rookie squad.