The Tigers host the 2014 Subway AUS Championship this weekend and will look to become the first team since the 2006 Cape Breton Capers to win the championship on home field.

Co-captain Elise Bilodeau knows that although the team faces a big challenge in the next two days, the Tigers know they are up to the task.

"As one of the senior players on the team, I've experienced winning two AUS championships on the road," explains Bilodeau. "This is an opportunity to take pride in our university and thank our continued supporters."

They enter the championship as the fifth-seed, though the low seed is not indicative of how the Tigers have been playing. The new-look Tigers had a somewhat rocky start out of the gate as they finished 3-3-1 in September. The team looked lost at times and hadn't completely gelled. Despite being one of the most talented squads in league, they just couldn't seem to put it all together in a 90 minute effort.

Now, let's stop talking about September.

The Tigers have completely turned things around in October and they've been one of the best teams in the AUS with a 3-1-2 record. If it hadn't been for a loss on a cold, rainy day in the final game of the season against the Memorial Sea-Hawks, they would have been the only undefeated team in the league in October.

"In October we really began to settle into our roles and sacrificed for each other, which has allowed us to come together to achieve our goals," says Bilodeau.

Seeding can mean relatively little in the ultra-competitive AUS, and Bilodeau knows that very well.

"Seeding never crosses my mind," says Bilodeau. "We have three big games ahead of us and it'll take three wins to win the championship regardless of who we play. It's only a matter of who wants it more."

They'll face the Acadia Axewomen in the second of two quarter-finals  on Friday at 2:00pm. The two teams met twice in the regular season and they tied each time (0-0 and 1-1). Historically, the fourth and fifth seed game has been a complete tossup. Since 2006, the fourth and fifth seeds have alternated winning the opening match.

Earlier tonight at the AUS awards banquet, Tigers strikers Victoria Parkinson and Michelle Yates were named first team AUS all-stars along with defender Kristy McGregor-Bales. This is the second time for both McGregor-Bales and Parkinson to be named to the first team, while Yates has now earned the distinction three times.

Both Yates and Parkinson were huge for the Tigers all season, combining for 13 goals as they led the offensive charge. Former CIS first team All-Canadian McGregor-Bales has been rock solid for the Tigers backline and her leadership and calming attitude have helped the Tigers get through adversity this season, as they recorded an AUS-low one yellow card this season.

Don't forget to check out the AUS championship happening all weekend at Wickwire Field. Admission is free for Dal students! If you can't catch the games live, you can always tune in online at AUSTv.ca.