There was no shortage of action this past weekend with the women’s and men’s soccer teams travelling to StFX and CBU, five games packed into three days between the women’s and men’s hockey teams, and the Scotiabank Invitational hosted by the women’s volleyball team at Dalplex.
Soccer showdowns
Heading into Friday’s match against StFX with a 4-1 record, the women’s soccer Tigers looked to distance themselves further from the middle of the pack. Doriana Homerski scored early to give the black and gold an early lead, but StFX tied it shortly after. Unfazed, Dal quickly took back control of the game with three unanswered goals, emerging victorious with a 4-1 score.
Hard pressed against the number three ranked team in the country, Dalhousie’s men’s soccer team put forth a splendid performance. Star keeper Ben Ur kept the black and gold in the game early on with five saves. Early in the second half StFX broke the scoreless tie on a rebound. Just seven minutes before the final whistle midfielder Phillip Parsons scored from outside the box, leveling the score at 1-1.
Having played exceptionally well in Antigonish, Saturday brought a new challenge in Cape Breton for the Tigers.
The CBU women’s team was out for revenge after losing their first game of the year 3-2 at Wickwire Field. Dalhousie fought valiantly, but ultimately lost the game 2-1. The Capers scored two early goals, and while Bianca Jakisa kept Dal alive with her second goal in as many games, the Tigers were not able to tie the game.
On the men’s side a CBU offence with the top scorer in the AUS, Keishen Bean, proved to be too much for the black and gold and they dropped the game 4-1. Keeper Ben Ur scored Dal’s lone goal off an improbable 60 yard free kick.
With more than half of their season complete, the soccer teams play next on October 15 at home against StFX.
Pre-season action
The women’s hockey team ventured to Moncton for a pre-season tournament last weekend. The Tigers vanquished the UPEI Panthers 2-1 to start the competition, followed by a 5-3 loss to MtA. In the third place game versus MtA the black and gold rose to the challenge and pulled off a 4-2 victory. Jocelyn LeBlanc shined throughout the weekend, posting six goals and three assists for nine points.
The women start their season on the road at StFX on October 14, and will host their home opener on Sunday, October 23 against UPEI at 2pm.
Men’s hockey was also on the road to take on UdeM again, only six days after dropping a 5-2 decision at home. This time it was the black and gold that came out flying, cruising to a 5-2 victory. Benjamin Breault, Jacob Johnston, Pierre-Alexandre Vandall, and Shea Kewin (2) all scored. On Saturday the Tigers faced UPEI and fell 4-1.
With the pre-season now behind them the men’s hockey team will play their home opener Friday, October 14 against the STU Tommies at 7 p.m.
The women’s volleyball team hosted the annual Scotiabank Invitational at Dalplex this past weekend. They finished the tournament with a 2-2 record, sweeping defending AUS champions UNB 3-0 to start off the tournament. They continued their strong play with a 3-0 victory over ACA but lost to SMU 3-1 in a nail biter. A 3-1 defeat to StFX closed out the competition.
The women will have plenty of time to prepare for their Friday, October 28 home opener against Memorial University.