Three Stars: Masri, Taupert, Odinga earn honours
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Men's soccer student-athlete Philip Masri is the MacEwan Athletics first star of the week after a three-point weekend.
Masri scored twice against Calgary on Saturday and had an assist against Mount Royal on Sunday.
Jordan Taupert of men's hockey and Anneke Odinga of women's soccer were named the second and third stars, respectively.
Masri makes the Three Stars list for the second time this season after earning third star honours on Aug. 29, while both Taupert and Odinga are appearing for the first time in 2023-24.
Phil Masri celebrates after opening the scoring against Calgary on Saturday at Edmonton Scottish Dome (Joel Kingston photo).
1st STAR: Philip Masri, F, men's soccer
Edmonton, AB, first-year, Open Studies
The sensational rookie season by the big striker continued on the weekend as Masri recorded three points in two games for the Griffins.
In Saturday's 4-4 draw with Calgary, Masri scored twice – in the 15th and 48th minutes.
In Sunday's 1-1 draw with Mount Royal, Masri stepped up big again, setting up Kayden Dugas for the Griffins' only goal in the 52nd minute.
For the season, Masri now has six goals and eight points in 11 games. That ties him with two others for the most points in a Canada West season by a Griffins player and he still has three regular season games left this weekend.
Masri can also catch Everett Orgnero for the most goals by a Griffins player in a Canada West season (8, set in 2018).
MacEwan visits Saskatchewan on Thursday (7 p.m.), Lethbridge on Saturday (2 p.m.) and will host Thompson Rivers University on Sunday (2 p.m., Jasper Place Bowl, all Canada West TV).
Jordan Taupert had four points in two games against Alberta on the weekend (Joel Kingston photo).
2nd STAR: Jordan Taupert, F, men's hockey
Medicine Hat, AB, fourth-year, Arts
The veteran forward had a great weekend for the Griffins against their cross-town rivals, putting up four points in two games against the Alberta Golden Bears.
In Friday's 5-2 loss to Alberta, Taupert drew an assist on Sean Comrie's second period powerplay goal.
In Saturday's 6-3 defeat to the Golden Bears, he had two goals and an assist – all in the last 28 minutes – to ignite a rally for MacEwan that ultimately came up short.
For the season, Taupert leads the Griffins with five points in six games. He is the program's current career Canada West points leader with 29.
The Griffins will host Manitoba on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m., both Downtown Community Arena, Canada West TV).
Anneke Odinga scored the game-winning goal against Lethbridge on Sunday as MacEwan locked up top spot in the Prairie Division (Lethbridge Sports).
3rd STAR: Anneke Odinga, D, women's soccer
St. Albert, AB, third-year, Arts
Bringing another level from the back line every time she's out there, Odinga combined strong defensive play with offensive production on MacEwan's final road trip of the season.
Odinga scored her first career Canada West goal on Sunday in Lethbridge, and it stood up as the game winner in a 2-1 victory that clinched the Prairie Division title for the Griffins.
Taking a pass from Maya Morrell, Odinga tucked a 37th minute strike off the left post and in.
Odinga also had back-to-back 90-minute performances for the Griffins in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Calgary and on Sunday, and came up with several key defensive plays in both games.
For the season, the reigning U SPORTS second all-star team and Canada West first all-star team member finished with three points, while starting all 14 games.
Odinga and the Griffins will await the winner of this Saturday's Play-In match between Victoria and UFV in a quarter-final Oct. 28 (12 p.m., Clareview Field, Canada West TV).
