Calgary Foothills wing Runquist adding quality from wide areas to Griffins' vaunted attack
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Two seasons ago, the Griffins women's soccer team led the conference in wide-area assists.
But things didn't come so easily last year, so head coach Dean Cordeiro went looking for a recruit who has the skill-set to give them a spark in that area.
Meet Calgary Foothills product Amy Runquist – a pacey playmaker known for serving in quality offerings from the wing – who will kick off her Canada West career with the Griffins in 2024-25.
"Amy is very intentional and purposeful in the final third," said Cordeiro. "Not only can she score and create, but she can also provide great service to her teammates. That was an area that we really wanted to add for this season – that quality from wide areas to ensure we're giving our forwards and attack-minded players as many looks as possible.
"Amy plays with tenacity and a little bit of moxy and poise. She's hard to play against because she is very physical and very pacey. We see her as a winger, but she has the versatility to get some reps at fullback too. Her profile really fits our game model, great attacking but someone who can also defend."
Cordeiro and the Griffins got a first-hand look at Runquist when she played against them in back-to-back spring seasons for the Calgary Foothills Next Gen team.
"She definitely stood out when we played against her," said Cordeiro. "The physicality of her game – she does not look like a freshman. Usually that part of the game takes players a couple of years to develop - to have the confidence to get into hard tackles. She has it. It's just the way she plays the game."
Calgary Foothills product Amy Runquist has been a part of many successful teams in her youth.
Runquist has seen some action for Calgary Foothills in League 1, while her youth resume is chock full of success, including being a part of the 2022 Alberta Youth Soccer League champions, a 2023 high school city championship, and a 2018 Alberta Summer Games silver medallist squad.
"Amy is someone we've been high on as a youth player," said Cordeiro. "She has always been one of the top scorers, top playmakers within her team and club. Over the years, she's become a well-rounded player.
"She's very versatile and can play any one of the spots on either side of the pitch. She's a great kid who's going to work tremendously hard. She is going to be a great fit and addition to this program."
