by Cody Baugh

After missing the postseason last year by one spot, Coach Nearing and the men’s soccer team are on the right track to make it back to the playoffs. Approaching the midway mark in the 2015 AUS men’s soccer campaign the Dalhousie Tigers are off to a promising start, posting a 4-2-2 record through eight games. The Tigers are currently second in the AUS table, three points back of first place Cape Breton.

Led by AUS player of the year candidate Bezick Evraire, the Tigers have been an offensive juggernaut, scoring eight goals so far this season, second best in the AUS. Evraire has carried the majority of weight offensively this year scoring fifty percent of the Tigers goals. Aside from Evraire, the Tigers offensive has come from multiple sources with seven other players recording a goal thus far.

Keeper Jason Ross has played well, giving the Tigers an opportunity to win every contest they enter. The fifth-year veteran has started all eight matches this season and has shutout the opposition in four of them.

The Tigers defence is anchored by former AUS second team all-star, Jonathan Doucett. Doucett has started all six games this season and has helped his team on both ends of the pitch scoring twice. Rounding out the defensive core is fifth-year, Mark Hagen and second-year Jacob DaCosta. Dalhousie has given up 10 goals this season and has looked solid.

The Tigers came out firing in their home opener posting a 7-0 victory over the Mount Allison Mounties. It was a promising sign for a team who struggled to score down the stretch last season.

After lighting up the Mounties, the Tigers faltered, getting shutout two games in a row against more formidable opponents in the Acadia Axemen and UNB Varsity Reds.

Since the back-to-back defeats, the Tigers have been red hot posting a 2-0-1 recorded, out-scoring opponents 9-2 during the streak. Dalhousie was well on their way to three straights wins, but two late goals by Memorial last Saturday forced the Tigers to settle for a draw.  

Last weekend, the tigers played to a 2-2 draw at Acadia, with Zach Mbolekwa scoring both for the Tigers. They cruised to a 2-0 win over the UPEI Panthers at home on Saturday, with Mbolekwa scoring his third of the weekend.

Despite being second in the AUS table, the Tigers still have something to prove as they have yet to beat a top five opponent. The second half of the schedule is going to be a challenge as four of the remaining five games are against teams sitting in the top three, including two against the undefeated Cape Breton Capers.

The Tigers have the talent to make a deep post-season run and will need Evraire to continue to work his magic offensively. The biggest obstacle will be scoring against the Capers who have only conceded two goals this season.

The Acadia Axemen will host the AUS championship this year, running from November 5-8.