The Dalhousie Tigers - Dalhousie University

That song, ladies and gentlemen, “Dreams Come True” was the ’94 women’s soccer team song that they listed to at every party, on every bus ride and every chance they got! I think it worked!

The 1994 women’s soccer season was a season that most teams might dream about. It was the ideal recipe for a golden ending that included outstanding leadership, exceptional work ethic, and a group of young women that never gave up.

After a week-long training camp the 1994 women’s soccer roster was set with a strong group of returning athletes bolstered by several top quality recruits. Despite the talented lineup the team faced a slow start with only one win and three ties in September, including one on a memorable trip to Newfoundland when they arrived only 15 minutes prior to kick-off due to a delayed flight.

October saw the Tigers pick up the pace with two wins early on, but they were set back by more ties as they struggled to win on the road. The team began to call themselves the ‘TIE-gers’, greatly frustrating head coach Turnbull. At Mount Allison on October 15 Dal once again struggled to show up on the field and when the game ended in a tie coach Turnbull ordered the girls on the bus and back to Halifax with no stops. The next day at practice the team arrived nervous, knowing that the coaches were unhappy, but not knowing what would come next. It was the turning point of the season as the team ran and ran that day in their fitness drill affectionately called ‘One quarter, one half, three quarters, let’s go!’  The men’s team and Dalplex staff stopped by the field and cheered the team on through the exercise and in the end the character of the team was formed.

With renewed drive the Tigers hit the pitch again and collected two wins before their single loss of the season to Acadia. Dalhousie finished the regular season tied for first place with Acadia and with a record of five wins, one loss and five ties.

At the AUAA championship semifinal the Tigers defeated StFX 2-0 and were set to face the host, Acadia for the title. In front of a loud crowd, the Tigers fought an exciting, entertaining and emotionally charged game that was scoreless after 90 minutes of regulation time. The teams continued to battle through two 15-minute overtime halves, however neither could catch an advantage so the game was pushed to penalty kicks. With both teams on edge, it was even until the tenth kicker, Dalhousie forward Dana Holmes, scored and Tigers netminder Leahanne Turner blocked the Acadia shooter for Dal’s second consecutive AUAA championship.

At the CIAU championship in Edmonton Dalhouse first faced Western Ontario and all-star Kate Gillespie scored two goals for a 2-0 victory over the Mustangs. In the semifinal game versus the host, Alberta, Dana Holmes put the Tigers ahead, but Alberta was able to sneak past the Dal defence to tie the game. A better record placed Dalhousie in the championship game against UBC.

Emotions were running high, but coach Turnbull told the team that it was really quite simple – everyone had a task and just needed to complete their task. Both Jane Walton and Holmes scored for the Tigers, but UBC answered both times, and regulation time ended in a tie. After two fifteen-minute overtime halves the score remained tied and the Tigers found themselves in a sudden death shootout. The Tigers sixth shooter found the back of the net and UBC hit the post, earning Dalhousie women’s soccer their first national championship in history.

An outstanding group of individuals and exceptional leadership helped the ’94 women’s soccer team accomplish their dreams. Head coach Turnbull and his assistant Dara Moore played critical roles that gave the athletes direction through the season. Midfielder Carla Perry was a standout on the field and recognized as the CIAU Championship MVP and a first team all-Canadian while Gillespie and Turner were named CIAU second team all-Canadians. Perry, Gillespie, Holmes, and Turner were also named CIAU tournament all-stars.

In the words of members of the team, that season was about much more than just soccer. It was about real life skills, keeping things in perspective, creating a balance, living up to potential and being classy in victory and in defeat. In a few short months of the soccer season these individuals obtained skills that will last a lifetime and a national victory that will be in Dalhousie history forever.