Anneke Odinga secures the ball under pressure against Saskatchewan on Sunday (Norman Bo photo).
Anneke Odinga secures the ball under pressure against Saskatchewan on Sunday (Norman Bo photo).
September 29, 2024

Odinga, Henderson lead impressive group effort as Griffins blank rival Huskies 2-0

Box Score

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – With the bitter taste still in their mouths from the opening game of the season when Saskatchewan scored on the game's final play to steal a tie, the MacEwan Griffins women's soccer team left nothing to chance on Sunday.

Determined to put their Prairie Division rivals in the rearview mirror, they rode a strong start to a 2-0 victory at Edmonton Scottish.

The two teams came into the weekend tied for second in the division, but MacEwan has now opened up a five-point advantage at 6-1-1 to the Huskies' 4-2-2.

"It means everything," said Griffins' co-captain Anneke Odinga, who was named MVP of the game. "It shows we're able to accomplish our goals this season and that we just keep getting better and better."

Head coach Dean Cordeiro pointed to their improvement, which has come a long way since they tied Saskatchewan 2-2 on Sept. 7.

"They're a good team," he said of the Huskies. "Losing full points in the season opener in Sask was a tough pill to swallow. It should have been a six-point weekend, and we turned it into a four-point weekend, and that tightens everything up. 

"We're just trying to get better every day. We're a much different team today than we were Game 1 of the season, and I think that was on full display today. The group is looking good. The girls are playing well."

Alyx Henderson moved into third on the program's career Canada West goals list as she converted the game-winner in the 23rd minute. 

Odinga's cross bounced off bodies in front and Henderson slammed home the rebound for her 18th career regular season goal, passing Suekiana Choucair (17). Only Grace Mwasalla (29) and Meagan Lemoine (20) have had more since the Griffins joined Canada West in 2014.

"It's consistency," said Cordeiro. "You know what you're going to get. She stepped up and had a big game. What a goal, what an assist – right time, right place. But what often gets missed is the work she's doing defensively. 

"We're glad that she keeps climbing and I'm sure she's coming for that No. 2 spot."

Henderson also drew an assist when her 31st minute cross was headed home by Saskatoon product Sophie Lavallee, who continued a torrid pace with her fifth goal in the last six games.

Saskatchewan pressed hard for a goal in a strong second half and they came close multiple times, including in an 86th minute flurry when Alyssa D'Agnone just missed a tip from in tight, and an 87th minute defensive save by Selynna Simao, who stopped Cheyenne Lehmann's point-blank blast on the line.

Ella Fownes also blocked a Georgina Gannitsos-Clark blast with her head minutes later.

Sabrina Alexander finished with eight saves for the fifth shutout of her career. Kalin Roberts finished with four saves for Saskatchewan.

Odinga earned MVP for driving much of the Griffins' attack on the afternoon, as well as defending everything that came to the right side. She nearly added a goal to her total in the 49th minute as her long looping shot bounced over Roberts' head, but she recovered just in time to get a fingertip on it before it crossed the line. 

"The number of kilometres she's running, getting back, getting forward, driving play," marvelled Cordeiro. "She got an assist today and came close on a couple others. They cleared the one off the goal line. Those are some pretty impressive numbers for a player that's playing on your back line."

The Griffins are back at home next weekend as they welcome Winnipeg and Manitoba on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.