A few big wins for the Tigers this past weekend saw some teams moving up in the AUS standings.
Hockey
In last Friday’s men’s hockey game versus cross-town rivals Saint Mary’s, Dal forward Ben Breault and defenseman David MacDonald gave the Tigers an early 2-0 lead in the first period, but the Huskies quickly tied the game up in the second period. A third-period goal by Pierre Alexandre Vandall was also matched by Saint Mary’s, sending the game into overtime. Tigers netminder Wendell Vye stood tall in net, making 29 saves before black and gold forward Jordan Villeneuve-Gagne scored the overtime winner to give Dal an important two points.
On Saturday the men’s hockey team faced Saint Mary’s at the Forum and could not continue the previous evening’s momentum, losing 6-4. The Tigers now sit one point behind StFX, who holds the last playoff spot in the AUS standings. This weekend they will face UPEI and UNB on the road.
A long road trip to New Brunswick last weekend left the women’s hockey team with a tough 4-3 loss to Moncton and an uplifting 3-2 win over Saint Thomas. This weekend Dal will travel to StFX on Saturday and then host Saint Mary’s on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Volleyball
The men’s volleyball team was back in action at an Interlock tournament at UNB. Over the weekend they collected two wins over Sherbrooke (3-1) and Montreal (3-1), but fell to CIS fourth-ranked Laval (3-1). Outside hitter Graeme Higgins led his team with 51.5 points and 45 kills over the weekend. The Tigers next play in Newfoundland versus Memorial on February 4.
Women’s volleyball hosted Moncton on Sunday and earned a 3-1 victory and two points that secured second place in the AUS standings. Louise Facca earned Subway Player of the Game honours with 20 kills and 17 digs. This week Dal is set to host Acadia on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a game rescheduled from this past Friday due to inclement weather.
Basketball
Last Wednesday both Tigers basketball teams faced tough losses on the road to StFX despite strong performances. This past Saturday on home court, the women earned a 73-58 win over UPEI, but the men fell short, losing 85-74. Guard Anna von Maltzahn led her team with 17 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
On Sunday the black and gold will host StFX in a double header. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. for the women and 3 p.m. for the men. This year’s last Molson Shoot for Tuition will take place during the men’s game.
Swimming
Both Dal swim teams travelled to UPEI for an invitational meet over the weekend and both came home with first place team finishes. Leading the way for the women was Keishia Mills with a first place finish and new AUS record in the 200m breaststroke, as well as a first place finish in the 100m breaststroke. Other first place female finishers included Michaela Nichols (200m butterfly), Emmalina Corriveau (100m and 200m backstroke) and Rachel Shin (200m butterfly and 200m IM). The women’s swim team made history as the first team in Canada to qualify the maximum number (18) of athletes for this year’s CIS championship.
On the other side, the men’s team was equally successful with multiple outstanding first place performances by a variety of athletes including Kit Moran (100m and 200m backstroke) and Joe Ur (100m freestyle and 50m butterfly). This weekend the swim teams will compete in the Nova Scotia Senior Meet at Acadia.
Watch: Dal Tigers weekend highlights