Griffins avoid cold snap with Hawaii Reading Week trip where they'll play two NCAA teams

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – In a moment of fortunate timing, the MacEwan Griffins women's soccer team gets to avoid the bitterly cold weather Edmontonians are experiencing this week as they've flown to Hawaii for a Reading Week trip.

While not quite an annual trip, this will be the fourth time the Griffins have travelled to the Aloha State since 2019, playing against NCAA Div. I University of Hawaii each time.

They'll do so again on Feb. 25 and will also meet Hawaii Pacific University (Div. II) in exhibition action Feb. 22 during the trip.

"I think it's really important for our players to see the standard of the NCAA level," said Griffins head coach Dean Cordeiro. "Coach Bud (Michelle Nagamine) from the University of Hawaii has had an illustrious career as a coach there. Their program is very good and they're coming off a few successful seasons. It's always a steep challenge for us.

"It's a little bit of a litmus test. They've consistently been a top-100 program. It's always an awesome game. All three fixtures we've had with them have been very competitive. One of the main reasons we make this trip is to have that quality competition."

The Griffins haven't lost to the University of Hawaii yet, drawing them 2-2 in 2019, beating them 2-0 in 2023 and tying them again 1-1 in 2024.

They last played Hawaii Pacific University in 2023 when they won 4-0.

"We've played them a couple times," said Cordeiro. "It didn't work out on the last trip, so we're excited to face them this year. They're under a new coach, so we're excited to see what that will bring. They're a good side, as well. 

"Good weather, good competition and good team building opportunities for our group, for sure."

That's the key for a Griffins team that's building towards next season when they'll aim to return to the Canada West Final Four for the first time since 2021.

"I'm a big believer that before you can win together, you've got to come together," said Cordeiro. "So, I think from us having this opportunity to spend eight, nine days together as a group, really bond and shape this team for the coming season is super important for us. 

"For me, it's just a matter of getting everybody on the same page, especially the returning players here. When we get into camp, we'll integrate the new recruits."

The Griffins have a bit of a smaller roster in Hawaii this week than they'd normally have with only four subs due to some injuries, but it will be a great opportunity to test their game and see where they're at.

"We want to see where we stand against these top programs, but at the same time, we will get everyone into these games," said Cordeiro. "In season, it's harder to find these opportunities. This year, everyone will get a ton of minutes because we're going with the smallest roster we've ever had."

The Hawaii trip is part of the broader spring schedule for the Griffins, which has already featured matches against UNBC Jan. 30 (a 2-0 win) and vs. Trinity Western in Calgary on Feb. 5 (a 4-2 loss). They'll also host Calgary on March 13 and visit Alberta on March 21 with a possible date against the University of Victoria in the works, too.

"It is a good opportunity and test for us going into those rivalry games once we get back," said Cordeiro.