Marina Simao's addition gives Griffins twin sisters for the first time
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – For the first time in their U SPORTS history, the Griffins women's soccer program will feature twins on the roster.
Head coach Dean Cordeiro's latest recruit – Marina Simao – will join her twin sister Selynna (announced last week) on the Griffins for the 2022-23 Canada West campaign.
Like her sister, Marina is also a product of the Millwoods-based Selects FC 2004 team, which went to nationals in 2019.
They both also play for Cordeiro's club team Northwest United.
"It's a cool story in that I think it's our first set of twins on the team," said Cordeiro. "Different positions – Selynna's a centre-back and Marina's a midfielder – but both are great athletes. Together they've always been two of the mainstays on their Selects FC 2004 youth team.
"They've played together throughout their youth career and now they'll be able to play together in varsity, too. I think it's really special for them to experience it together."
Marina has the skill set to succeed on the Griffins as she works her way into a U SPORTS career.
"She's a box-to-box midfielder who can really control the tempo of a match," said Cordeiro "Marina has an innate ability score and is so creative in her movement and passing. She's a fierce competitor and can stick tackles. We're excited about her future here. She's just coming into Year 1, but we feel she's going to play a role for us."
