Griffins introduce strong 2026 and 2027 recruiting classes during home-opening weekend
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Over the next two years, the Griffins women's soccer team will graduate nine veteran players who are in their fourth or fifth year of eligibility, so keeping the strong recruiting pipeline going is key for head coach Dean Cordeiro.
With that in mind, he introduced the majority of his 2026 recruiting class to fans at half-time of their home opener on Aug. 29 and the three earliest members of his 2027 recruiting class at half-time on Aug. 30.
Ivy Kunn (Airdrie, AB), Kalley Dancocks (Edmonton), Ally Tannas (Calgary, AB), Kendra Fuller (Edmonton), Lyric Gorgichuk (Edmonton), Raegan Toye (Calgary, AB), Guneet Brar (Winnipeg, MB) and Ayva Findlay (Winnipeg, MB) will be joining the Griffins in 2026.
"It's very exciting," said Cordeiro. "It's going to be a very important class for us because we graduate several key players this year. With us already carrying a bit of a smaller roster, that 2026 class is an important one for us.
"We've got a lot of talent at different positions who are going to step in and contribute right away, which is very exciting."
Kunn is a midfielder for Calgary Foothills, recently returning from the Canada Summer Games, where she scored the winning PK that punched Team Alberta's ticket into the semifinals. The 5-foot-5 technician creates and makes everyone around her better.
Dancocks can play forward or midfield and was also a part of Team Alberta at the CSG, scoring two goals. The 5-foot-3 BTB Academy product is set to bring lightning speed, creativity and finish to MacEwan's offence.
Tannas finished sixth in the League 1 Alberta scoring race for the Calgary Callies. The 5-foot-9 forward/centre back is a handful for opponents to deal with, bringing versatility and a strong ability to beat players on the dribble.
Fuller is a 5-foot-2 St. Albert Impact product who finished among the league's top scorers this past season, helping lead her team to league and cup championships. The 5-foot-2 forward is relentless in her pursuit of the ball and will bring a welcome finishing touch.
Gorgichuk is playing over in the U.K. for prestigious Mount Kelly school and was a big part of their championship squad this past season. The 5-foot-2 dynamic fullback, who also plays locally for BTB Academy, is tenacious, hard to play against and drives play offensively.
Toye is a 5-10 centre back out of the Calgary Blizzard. She also represented Team Alberta at the CSG. Her next-level distribution and rock-solid defensively play will be big for the Griffins.
Brar is a 5-foot-11 midfielder who currently plays for 1v1 Futbol Dreams. She also recently returned from the CSG where she represented Team Manitoba. With great vision and passing range, her ability to connect passes will be an asset in the Griffins' midfield.
Findlay is her teammate with 1v1 Futbol Dreams and also represented Manitoba at the CSG. The 5-foot-8 forward has a knack for scoring big goals in high pressure situations.
Head coach Dean Cordeiro poses with the first three members of the Griffins' 2027 recruiting class, introduced at half-time on Aug. 30 (Norman Bo photo).
Cordeiro also kick-started his 2027 class announcements on Aug. 30 when he introduced verbal commits Charley Henderson (St. Albert, AB), Ojong Tabot (Turku, Finland) and Morganne Inglis (Edmonton).
"Those three are impactful commits that we're very excited about – all three local kids, all three play on the same club team," said Cordeiro of the St. Albert Impact. "I'm excited for when they get to don the Maroon and White. All three of them will be major players for us."
Like several in the Griffins' 2026 recruiting class, Henderson recently returned from the Canada Summer Games where she represented Team Alberta. The pacey fullback also led the Impact to a league and cup championship this past season as team captain. Her speed, creativity on the ball and service married with a strong defensive game will make her one to watch on the Griffins.
Tabot also represented Alberta at the CSG and made major contributions to the Impact's success last season as well. The versatile centreback/forward is a threat in all phases of play. Her athleticism and ability to beat players on the dribble is excellent, she is a weapon on set pieces, also bringing a strong defensive acumen to the pitch.
Inglis, who is the younger sister of current Griffin Kiera Inglis, is a forward/fullback who also came up big for the Impact last season. The crafty left-footed player has great poise on the ball and provides quality service from wide areas with the ability to score goals, too.
