Back in Prairie Division, Griffins set to renew rivalry with Pandas as they aim for nationals berth
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – If it's possible for the red-hot rivalry between the MacEwan Griffins women's soccer team and fellow Edmonton opponent Alberta to be stoked even further, the Canada West 2019-20 schedule might have done it.
Moving back to the Prairie Division after a two-year turn in the Pacific, the Griffins are set to play a home-and-home series against the Pandas on Oct. 12 (2 p.m., Foote Field) and Oct. 13 (12 p.m., Clarke Stadium).
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Alberta was on its two-year rotation in the Pacific Division in 2015 and 2016, so the rivals haven't played in the same division since MacEwan's first season in Canada West in 2014. They have, however, met in the playoffs in each of the last two campaigns with the Griffins winning in 2017 and the Pandas taking it in 2018.
MacEwan has won the last two regular season meetings between the teams (1-0 in 2017 and 3-0 in 2016).
"It's nice to be back in the same division where we get to play each other twice in a season," said head coach Dean Cordeiro. "The matches against the Pandas are always something our team looks forward to. They're highly-competitive and a must-see for fans in Edmonton."
Also included in the Griffins' 2019-20 schedule is their all-important home-opening weekend against Mount Royal University on Sept. 7 (12 p.m., Clareview Field) and vs. Lethbridge on Sept. 8 (12 p.m., Clarke Stadium).
Other home dates at Clarke include matches against UFV (Sept. 21, 12 p.m.), Trinity Western (Sept. 22, 12 p.m.), Winnipeg (Oct. 5, 12 p.m.) and Manitoba (Oct. 6, 12 p.m.).
"Another highlight will be when we host the national runners-up Trinity Western," said Cordeiro, whose team dealt the Spartans their only home loss last season – winning 3-2 at Chase Office Field.
Despite playing in the tough Pacific Division last season, the Griffins posted the best record in program history (9-3-2). With a veteran returning group and an influx of several promising newcomers, MacEwan will aim to top that mark in 2019-20 as they push for their first U SPORTS nationals berth.
The Canada West post-season schedule features Play-In games on Oct. 25 between seeds 3-6 in both the Prairie and Pacific at the homes of the top two finishers in both divisions. The top seeds will then host the winners of those matches on Oct. 27.
The Final 4 is set for Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 at the home of the highest remaining Prairie seed.
The U SPORTS national championship is scheduled in Victoria from Nov. 7-10.
For fans looking to watch the action, 2019-20 Canada West TV passes are now on sale, with the best early-bird pricing available until the end of June. An all-access pass ($79.99), or a soccer sport pass ($31.99), can be purchased by clicking here.
