EDMONTON – The Griffins men's soccer team had just seven more minutes to weather to collect the program's first win over cross-town rival Alberta since joining Canada West in 2014, but it wasn't meant to be.

Awarded a penalty kick in the 84^th minute, Golden Bears' Rilind Idrizi made no mistake as the Edmonton rivals settled for a 1-1 draw in Canada West action on Saturday afternoon at Clarke Stadium.

Both sides had reason for mixed emotions over the result.

MacEwan's Stefan Gajic opened the scoring in the 12^th minute on a penalty kick of his own after Egzon Jeteshi was fouled in the box. They nearly managed to hold Alberta off the scoresheet before settling for a tie in the waning moments.

Alberta had reason for some disappointment, too, after largely carrying the play in the second half with subs Everett Orgnero – a former Griffin – and Javier Alday spurring an attack that relentlessly drove the ball at the MacEwan goal.

They outshot the Griffins 17-4 (5-2 on target), but Stayko was in fine form. His pure reaction save off Habib Assem's point-blank header in the 48^th minute warrants save of the year consideration.

Stayko was named game MVP for the Griffins and it wasn't just that save – he also made great saves on Assem in the 69^th minute and Alday in the 73^rd.

Defender Michael Ho also helped his goalkeeper out with a defensive save off Idrizi in the 57^th minute.

MacEwan's best chance of the second half came when Ousman Maheshe played Rakan Yassin up the left side and he cracked a sharp angle shot that Alberta keeper Chris Ezoua parried over the bar.

With the result, MacEwan (2-1-2) remains a point ahead of Alberta (1-0-4) for second place in the Canada West Prairie Division.

Next up for the Griffins is a home match vs. Victoria on Sept. 17 (2:30 p.m., Clareview Field), while the Golden Bears host UNBC on Sept. 16.