By Troy Langstaff

The Tigers men’s soccer team entered the 2021 campaign with hopes of making the playoffs for the third-consecutive season. The team featured a solid mix of veteran leadership and young talent who were looking to get their first taste of AUS play. 

The team got out to a strong 3-2-1 start, but the second half of the campaign featured tough matchups against StFX and Cape Breton. “StFX, and CBU especially, have been dominating the AUS for the last 10 years and those programs really are the measuring sticks in the AUS,” explained first-year head coach Alan Jazic.

2021 Men's Soccer Photo Gallery

Tough competition to round out the year resulted in Dalhousie finishing with a 4-5-3 record just missing out on the playoffs by three points.

Although it wasn’t the season the team was hoping for, there were a pair of first-year Tigers players who claimed some hardware. Keeper Aiden Rushenas and striker Luke Berryman both earned AUS second team all-star honours.

Rushenas was the only goalkeeper in the league to play in all 12 of his teams’ games. He picked up four clean sheets while posting a 0.827 save percentage which was third best in the league.

Berryman led the Tigers in goals (5), game-winning goals (3), points (6) and shots on goal (13). 

“We relied heavily on our rookie crop this year,” said Jazic. “We also had other players who I’m really excited about for next season to step in and really contribute. We have a young nucleus with this team and I'm really looking forward to having all of them back next season.”

That being said, the Tigers said goodbye to a number of senior players including;

Jacob Bolton (Halifax, NS), Liam Dorion (Charlottetown, PE), Niall Burnett (Charlottetown, PE), Gracious Kasheke (Halifax, NS), Matt Larter (Waverly, NS), Emilio Roche (Calgary, AB), Enrico Rodriguez (Halifax, NS) and Will Warren (Windsor Junction, NS).

“Those players are all moving onto the next chapter of their lives,” said Jazic. “What I’m most proud of is how every one of them showed what being a Dalhousie Tiger is all about. They will all be remembered as hard-working, selfless and dedicated student-athletes who always put their best foot forward, both in the classroom and on the pitch.”

Coach Jazic was very proud of the work put in by his players and staff this season. After finally getting back to game action and developing relationships with the team, Jazic is confident his group will be able to make the jump back into the post season picture next year. 

“For next season, you can expect more success on the pitch,” said Jazic. “I’m really excited about the return of our core players. Getting their first season, and my first season, of AUS soccer under our belts will be huge for our development and progress as a team. With one or two key additions, we will have an impact on this league.”

2021-22 Men's Soccer Award Winners

Team MVP - Aiden Rushenas	Tiger of the Year - Gracious Kasheke