Wesmen transfer Mann set to add firepower to Griffins' attack as first of 2021 recruiting class
Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – The MacEwan Griffins were the second-highest scoring team in the Canada West women's soccer ranks last season.
They led Canada West in shots and corner kicks won.
But despite being one of the most dynamic attacking teams in the country, head coach Dean Cordeiro never closes his door to adding even more offensive talent.
On Wednesday, Cordeiro introduced the first of five recruits the team has signed for the 2021 season – talented winger Alycia Mann, who is transferring to MacEwan from the University of Winnipeg.
A product of the Manitoba Blizzard and Bonivital FC, Mann spent the first two seasons of her university soccer career in her hometown, developing into one of the top offensive threats on the Wesmen.
Last year, Mann scored two of the team's nine goals, showing the promise she displayed during the 2017 Canada Summer Games when she tallied twice in five contests for Team Manitoba.
"She's a very dynamic 1v1 attack-minded player who can play anywhere in the front three and attacking midfield positions," said Cordeiro. "She's very elusive, she's good on the dribble and she has a knack for scoring goals and creating. We're excited to see her within our team."
Alycia Mann battles for a ball against MacEwan's Suekiana Choucair during a 2019 Canada West game at Clarke Stadium. Mann scored two of the Wesmen's nine goals last season (Chris Piggott photo).
While Mann was still in high school at Winnipeg's Glenlawn Collegiate, she was on MacEwan's recruiting radar, but she chose to stay close to home. However, those initial recruiting conversations with coach Cordeiro may have planted the seed for her transfer now.
"After informing the University of Winnipeg that she would not be returning, Alycia started to pursue her options and that's when she reached out to us," said Cordeiro. "Acquiring another experienced university athlete is exciting. We are happy to add her to our offensive firepower."
Mann will add scoring to a 2021 Griffins offensive group that includes veteran strikers along with a promising next wave of attackers already in the fold.
"Obviously, we're coming off a year where we were second in the league in goals scored," said Cordeiro. "We feel she's another piece to that puzzle that can help us put even more goals in the back of the net."
