By Troy Langstaff
The women’s soccer team entered the season looking to claim the conference title for the first time since 2012. Dalhousie got out to a hot start going 4-1-1 in the first half of the campaign.
Riley Donovan led the charge for the Tigers as she scored an incredible eight goals over a three-game span while goalkeeper Annabel Gravely had four clean sheets in the team’s first five games.
2021 Women's Soccer Photo Gallery
The second half of the season featured some tough matchups for Dalhousie. They also had to play without fourth-year defender, Alexandra Doane, who missed time due to injury. The team finished with a 4-3-5 record which was good for the sixth and final playoff spot in the league.
This earned them a first round match-up with the eventual AUS champion Acadia Axewomen. Dalhousie battled hard but fell 1-0 in extra time.
“Getting playoff experience with a young lineup helps them know what to expect,” explained head coach Cindy Tye. “They represented well, but we have work to do to take that next step.”
The season’s end saw three Tigers players earn AUS and U SPORTS honours.
Megan Chiasson became the sixth Tiger ever to be named AUS rookie of the year. She was also named an AUS second team all-star and earned a spot on the U SPORTS all-rookie team.
Riley Donovan capped off her Dalhousie career being named an AUS first team all-star and a U SPORTS second team All-Canadian.
Holly Buckler was awarded the Student-Athlete Community Service Award becoming just the third Tiger to do so. She was also named an AUS second team all-star.
An honourable mention goes out to Gravely who led the AUS in clean sheets (7) and was second in the conference in goals against (7) and goals against average (0.58).
“Gravely and Chiasson were great throughout the season, on and off the field,” explained Tye. “They both have the ability to be top performers in the league and their example helps to make others stronger in our program.” 
Graduating student-athletes from this year’s squad included Adele Arsenault (North Wiltshire, PE), Riley Donovan (Toronto, ON), Sofia Nicholls (Vancouver, BC), Zoe Brown (Halifax, NS), Josie Oickle (Lewis Lake, NS) and Holly Buckler (Halifax, NS).
“The graduates have had a tremendous impact on the program,” said Tye. “They have shown resilience throughout the pandemic and kept committed and determined to staying together and being prepared for whatever happened. They have helped to set a higher standard both on the field and in the classroom.”
It may not have been the result the Tigers were looking for, but Tye is confident the team will be able to get back to the top of the AUS next year.
“They have worked hard this off season and with that experience and adding new talent, we look forward to competing next season.”
2021-22 Women's Soccer Award Winners
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Team MVP |
Tiger of the Year Adele Arsenault |
Female Rookie of the Year |
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| Tiger Assist Award Andrew MacDonald |
