Varsity report: the beautiful game

Men’s soccer season preview

Jordan Mannix controls the ball in a game against Moncton on September 12. (Nick Pearce Photo)

This year's men's soccer team will be looking to return to the 2010-11 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) championship. With a solid core of returning players from last year's team, there will be plenty of familiar faces and several exciting new faces on the pitch vying for a berth at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) banner.

Key returning players include fifth year midfielder and team captain Ross Hagen (2009 first team all-star and CIS all-Canadian, 2008 AUS playoff MVP, Calgary, Alberta), Chris Haughn (Halifax, N.S.), Ben Ur (2009 second team all-star keeper, Halifax, N.S.) and Kerry Weymann (2008 AUS Rookie of the Year, 2009 first team all-star, Vancouver, B.C.).

Several new Tigers are joining the line up this season including midfielder J.P. Rodriques (St. FX transfer, Toronto, Ont.), defenders Zack Fisher (Vancouver, B.C.) and Keiran Hooey (Ottawa, Ont.) and striker Tyler Lewars (Ottawa, Ont.). These four are expected to have an immediate impact on the team and in the league.

As always, the AUS will prove to be one of the toughest soccer conferences in the country. The playoffs will be hosted by Université de Moncton in their new stadium and the Tigers are striving to replicate last year’s regular season finish to once again enter the post-season in first or second place to secure a quarter-final bye.

The 2010 AUS champions will be the only Atlantic team to qualify for the CIS championship hosted by University of Toronto and the Tigers are eager to make another appearance in the national tournament.

Results to date:

• Saturday, Sept. 11: Acadia 0, Dalhousie 2
  Player of the Game:  Dalhousie - #12 Ross Hagen
• Sunday, Sept. 12: UdeM 2, Dalhousie 2
  Player of the Game:  Dalhousie - #12 Ross Hagen
• Saturday, Sept. 18: Cape Breton University 1, Dalhousie 0
  Player of the Game:  Dalhousie - #25 Kerry Weymann

Upcoming:

• Wednesday, Sept. 22, 7:15 p.m. -- Dalhousie @ Saint Mary's University
• Saturday, Sept. 25, 3:15 PM -- Dalhousie  @ University of Prince Edward Island
• Sunday, Sept. 26, 3:15 PM -- Dalhousie @ Mount Allison University

Women’s soccer season preview

Andi Vanderlaan is one of the new recruits for the women's team. (Nick Pearce Photo)

This year's Tigers women's soccer squad will return 10 of the starting 11 players from last year. The team will be very deep in every position, dramatically increasing competition for playing time. ??

Leading a solid group of returning players are co-captains Jeanette Huck (Halifax, N.S.) a 2010-11 AUS first team all-star, and AUS second team all-stars Kate MacDonald (Elmsdale, N.S.) and Rieka Santilli (Halifax, N.S.). Rounding out the senior Tigers are striker Kate Richards (Halifax, N.S.), defender Kim Hardy (Dartmouth, N.S.) and keeper Amanda Henry (Winnipeg, Manitoba).

Returning for their second seasons with the black and gold are keeper Taryn McKenna (Halifax, N.S.), midfielder Emma Landry (Ottawa, Ont.), striker Beth O'Reilly (Dartmouth, N.S.), Stephanie Crewe (Dartmouth, N.S.) and defender Joanna Blodgett (Ottawa, Ont.). With a year of experience in the AUS, these second year players will be poised to make their mark in the league.

Once again the Tigers are very fortunate to have a talented group of recruits coming to Dalhousie. Joining the Tigers family are Daphne Wallace, Andi Vanderlaan and Bianca Jakisa from Ontario and international student Stacey Deluca from the United States.

Coach Jack Hutchison and his staff are very excited about the upcoming season. With a talented group of rookies ready for the challenges the AUS league has to offer and a solid core of seniors, fans can expect a hard-working team that will represent Dalhousie with determination, spirit and pride as they take aim at the AUS championship.

Results to date:

• Saturday, Sept. 11: Acadia 0, Dalhousie 2
  Player of the Game:  Dalhousie #10 Jeanette Huck
• Sunday, Sept. 12: UdeM 0, Dalhousie 0
  Player of the Game:  Dalhousie  #3 Andi Vanderlann
• Saturday, Sept. 18: Cape Breton University 0, Dalhousie 2
  Player of the Game:  Dalhousie  #20 Emma Landry

Upcoming

• Wednesday, Sept. 22, 5 p.m. -- Dalhousie @ Saint Mary's University
• Saturday, Sept. 25, 1 p.m. -- Dalhousie @ University of Prince Edward Island
• Sunday, Sept. 26, 1 p.m. -- Dalhousie @ Mount Allison University