CW Announces Players of the Week
Seven student-athletes recognized across the conference
Sept. 19, 2023 – It was another terrific weekend across CW, filled with great competition and even a few surprise results, including the Alberta Golden Bears football team knocking off #3 ranked Saskatchewan and the Calgary Dinos field hockey squad downing four-time defending champion Victoria for their first win in over a decade.
The Canada West Universities Athletic Association is proud to announce its Players of the Week.
Football Offensive Player of the Week – RB Matthew Peterson (ALB)
Peterson’s record-breaking night powered undefeated Alberta to an upset 26-22 win over the nationally #3 ranked Saskatchewan Huskies.
The fourth year back from Brooks, Alta. set a program record with his 104-yard rush in the third quarter, which was also the second longest rush in U SPORTS history. His speed and power gave the Huskies trouble all night, as he picked up 295 all-purpose yards, including a career high 191 rushing yards.
Football Defensive Player of the Week – DB Max Kennedy (UBC)
While the high-powered UBC offence has deservedly garnered many headlines during their dominant 3-0 start, Kennedy and the T-Birds defence have also performed at an elite level so far this season. UBC's defence was on a tear again in Saturday’s 56-10 win over Manitoba, delivering three total interceptions – including two by Kennedy. His fourth quarter pick-off in the end zone not only denied the Bisons of points, but also led to a UBC touchdown drive.
It's the second consecutive week a UBC defender has been honoured as a Canada West Defensive Player of the Week, after Ryan Baker earned the nod in Week 2.
Football Special Teams Player of the Week – K Jonathan Giustini (ALB)
Coming off a CW Special Team Player of the Week nod last week, Giustini once again played a key part in leading the Golden Bears to victory in Week 3. Facing #3 ranked Saskatchewan, he finished with four field goals while helping lift the Bears to a 26-22 victory. Two of his field goals came in a defensive second half, including an important 47-yard strike near the end of the third quarter.
Women’s Soccer Player of the Week – Katalin Tolnai (UBC)
Tonai was simply unstoppable during the T-Birds recent road trip to the province of Manitoba, helping UBC secure two wins. She opened the weekend with a hat trick and four assists in a defeat of Winnipeg on Friday, then followed that effort by scoring the game winning goal and adding an assist against the Bisons on Saturday. Tolnai has been an offensive driver for the T-Birds all season, as she currently leads the conference in points with 11.
Men’s Soccer Player of the Week – Josh Flaksman (MRU)
Flaksman delivered two commanding performances on the wing for the Cougars, contributing three points in a pair of MRU victories. He kicked off the weekend by being named the Cougars MVP in a 2-0 win over Victoria on Saturday, delivering five shots on target. He then scored a brace and added an assist the following day in MRU’s 5-0 win over UFV. Flaksman and the nationally ranked Cougars are 6-1 and will look to build on their momentum as they travel west to take on UBCO and UBC next weekend.
Rugby Player of the Week – Adia Pye (UBC)
Pye and her UBC teammates delivered a decisive 74-0 victory in their home opener over the University of Alberta Pandas last Thursday. The first-year centre scored four of her team’s 12 tries, an impressive offensive feat in just her second career Canada West match.
Field Hockey Player of the Week – Madison Gaffney (CGY)
Gaffney played an integral role in lifting the Calgary Dinos to their first conference win since 2011. Taking on four-time defending CW and U SPORTS champion Victoria on Sunday, Gaffney scored twice in regulation - including a dramatic marker in the 60th minute that sent the game to a shootout. She then added a goal in the shootout as the Dinos eventually prevailed for a memorable victory.
