EDMONTON – Wasting little time in christening a new season with a goal just over two minutes in, the MacEwan Griffins blanked cross-town rival Alberta 2-0 in their Canada West women's soccer home opener on Saturday.

Raeghan McCarthy delivered a strike to the side netting off a free kick pass from Samantha Gouveia to open the scoring just 2:30 into the contest.

Grace Mwasalla made it 2-0 for MacEwan when she volleyed a Meagan Lemoine throw-in under the bar from the top of the box in the 40^th minute – a stunning tally, serving notice that the rookie is here to make some noise this season.

Alberta was under siege for most of the first half, finally registering its first shot of the contest in the 40^th minute.

The Pandas were much better in the second 45, pressing to get on the board with a couple of dangerous chances, including scramble inside the box the 70^th minute off a corner kick. Brooke Lang had the visitors' best chance in the 75^th, when she knifed into the box and got a knee on a free kick, but the ball bounced over the bar.

Bianca Castillo made four saves for the shutout as the Griffins outshot the Pandas 14-8 (4-4 in shots on goal).

Next up for the Pandas is a weekend at Foote Field, when they host the Calgary Dinos and Lethbridge Pronghorns next weekend.