Written by Thomas Scott
The Dalhousie Tigers capped off another season, finishing 5-4-3 and clinched a playoff berth as the fourth seed. The Tigers season ended with a 2-1 loss to the Memorial Sea-Hawks on penalties in the AUS quarter-final.
“We felt good about the performance but not the result. We need to be able to find a way through those types of games and close them out,” says head coach Cindy Tye.
The Tigers spent the first weekend of the season at Memorial, splitting the two game series. Kaitlyn Clarke scored her first goal of the season in a 1-0 win in the second game of the weekend. Clarke led the team with five goals this season.
The Tigers then headed home to host four games, going 1-2-1 during this stretch. The home opener featured a fantastic performance from the Tigers, winning 5-0 against the Mount Allison Mounties.
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The next game went differently than planned, as the Tigers lost to the reigning 2022 AUS champions, Cape Breton Capers, 4-0. Dal then played SMU in a battle of Halifax, drawing 1-1. The Tigers would lose the next two games against StFX and Acadia. The Tigers needed to finish the season strong. Dal would win three straight games and draw the last two, bringing the Tigers to the playoffs on an undefeated run. The team headed to Sydney, Nova Scotia, for the 2023 AUS Championship hosted by the Cape Breton Capers. They were presented with the Memorial Sea-Hawks, who were looking for revenge. It was a rematch of the 2022 AUS semi-final, where the Tigers won 1-0. |
Memorial scored the game's first goal in the 56th minute, but the Tigers responded immediately, with Sarah Giles scoring in the 59th minute.
Extra time was insufficient to find a winner, as both teams would go scoreless, bringing the two sides to penalties.
The Tigers lost 5-4 in penalties, bringing the season to a close.
“You've done everything you could possibly do when you get to penalties. I was really proud of the grit everyone showed this season,” says third-year striker Taylor Heard.
Next season, the Dalhousie Tigers are hosting the 2024 U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship. Heard wants to prove the Tigers belong at nationals by winning the AUS Championship, not just because of the bye they receive from hosting the tournament.
“Next year's a must-win year. I really want to prove that we deserve to go to nationals because our program is great,” says Heard.
Midfielder Megan Chiasson received AUS first-team all-star honours and was named a second team all-Canadian. Second-year striker Elise Evans was named a second team AUS all-star. Evans scored four goals and one assist this season.
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Chiasson was named the team’s MVP and Morgan Leon was named the Tiger of the Year. Heard, Chiasson, Hilary Ogoke and Charlotte Spencer all earned their three year D’s for playing their third season with the Tigers. The Tigers will have a slightly different look next year with Leon, Clarke, Kaitlyn Woodworth, Chloe Richardson and Emily Smith all graduating after this season. |