Copeland, Souza BU’s athletes of month

Macaya Copeland’s start at Brandon University is a perfect example of an “immediate impact.”

The five-foot-six guard is leading Canada West women’s basketball with 22.3 points per game. More importantly, she has helped BU to a 3-1 record, its best-ever start to a Canada West season.

“I kind of surprised myself, honestly, but I’m just grateful. I put in the work every day, so I’m happy,” said Copeland, who was named BU’s female athlete of the month on Wednesday.

“It is kind of shocking, but obviously timing is key for everything, and commitment as well, being able to know you can trust your teammates and be able to come together as one … I’m glad we were able to do that.”

BU head coach Ilarion Bonhomme isn’t surprised in the slightest.

He knows she didn’t just show up to the home opener and start lighting it up. Bonhomme said the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 3 player of the year’s work ethic is impeccable.

“She works tirelessly. We got our mandatory skill stuff we do as a team, but she does stuff outside of that,” Bonhomme said. “It’s just day-to-day habits.

“People don’t see the way she works out … Her individual workouts, I’ve been fortunate enough to be around some really good hoopers and I would put her up there with anybody I’ve been around.

“She pushes herself, so it pays off on Friday and Saturday.”

The Minnesota native quickly learned the Canadian game is much more physical than she’s used to. Still, she has embraced and taken advantage of the opportunity to apply more pressure to ball handlers. She already has nine steals this season, good for 12th in the conference so far.

Copeland recorded 18 points and nine assists in BU’s home opener, an 86-71 win over Manitoba, then dropped 22 in a 79-65 victory over Winnipeg.

She scored her career-high 29 last Friday, but Brandon gave up a fourth-quarter lead and fell 84-77 to Lethbridge. The following night, she racked up five steals to go with 20 points in a defensive battle that Brandon won 69-65.

For her, the wins are far more important than scoring.

“Scoring’s not really something I care about. Obviously, you have to put the ball in the hoop to win games, but honestly, for me it’s about getting my teammates points as well and letting them do what they gotta do,” Copeland said.

“I’m grateful that they trust me to do what I do … and also defence. At the end of the day, that’s what’s going to win championships and take everything home.

“I felt like we knew we could beat them, we knew we were the better team at the end of the day and knew we had to stay together as one and not play to anybody’s level except ours.”

The Bobcats return to action this Friday at home against the Calgary Dinos at 6 p.m.

SOUZA GAVE BU

CHANCE TO WIN

Matheus Souza won the male monthly honour after piling up four clean sheets for the soccer team, including a 2-0 Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference semifinal victory over Providence.

“It’s always great getting an individual award. It’s just another thing when you look back in history, you remember this as a special moment,” Souza said.

“Even though it’s an individual award, the whole team should be thought about, especially as a keeper, because I can’t do everything by myself. I need my teammates.”

Souza gave up the first goal of the final early in the second half, but otherwise played a tidy game until the Bobcats gave up a penalty kick with five minutes left in added time.

Souza guessed the correct side, but Nicholas Pavao of the Canadian Mennonite University Blazers blasted it over his outstretched arms for the championship-winning goal in a 2-1 triumph.

While anyone watching would say there was little Souza could have done to change the outcome, he isn’t satisfied.

“Absolutely not. As a keeper, we’re always thinking ‘I could have done better,’” he said.

“He hit it really well, it was a really well-hit shot, but after the game I was like ‘What if I had done this, what if I had done that?’

“There’s always something you should have done or could have done better.”

The Bobcats are turning to the MCAC futsal season, which begins in the new year.

• • •

The BU women’s soccer team fell 5-1 to the Ahuntsic Aigles in the quarterfinals at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament on Wednesday in Red Deer, Alta.

Keashae Masters scored the lone goal for BU to tie it 1-1.

Brandon returns to action today at 1:30 p.m. CST in a bronze medal quarterfinal.

The Bobcats volleyball teams head to Saskatoon to visit the Saskatchewan Huskies this weekend.

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