(Halifax, N.S.) – Dalhousie women’s soccer head coach Cindy Tye is pleased to announce the commitment of three players to the 2017-18 lineup from Halifax County United.
Breagh Bates joins the Tigers after 12 years with Halifax County United (HCU). In that time, Bates helped lead her team to a provincial championship gold medal in 2014 and a fourth-place finish at the club nationals in Mount Pearl, N.L. that same season. Bates achieved provincial and national success once again, with their second provincial title in three years, followed by earning a bronze medal at the 2016 club nationals in Vaughn, O.N.
The 5’4 fullback has also achieved success with the Nova Scotia provincial team. A member of the team for the past three years, Bates has helped lead the team to Atlantic Championship gold medals in 2015 and 2016. A versatile player, Bates is currently a member of the Nova Scotia Canada Games training program.
“I am very excited and honoured to be playing for the Tigers this coming season,” says Bates.
The Timberlea, N.S. native has been named to the Principals List all three years of high school. And will graduate from Sir John A Macdonald this June and will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in nursing.
“Breagh is a versatile player who can play as both an attacker and defender,” says Tye. “She has a technical skill set to play in tight spaces and make good decisions. She is also a player that has been part of the strong County club and provincial program.”
Goalkeeper Katelynn Fines comes to the Tigers after successful careers with Suburban FC and HCU. Fines has won two provincial titles in the past two years. She helped lead Suburban FC to a fifth-place at the club nationals in 2015 before joining HCU the following summer, earning a provincial gold medal squad. She was a crucial part of HCU’s bronze medal victory, finishing the championships with four shutouts and only two goals allowed in five games.
Fines has been a member of the Nova Scotia provincial team since 2014 and is currently a member of the Canada Games core team. While with the team, she helped lead them to three consecutive Atlantic championship titles and has been a member of the National Pathway (REX) program since 2014.
“I am really excited to become a Tiger and I’m ready to represent Dalhousie University,” says Fines. “I am looking forward to continuing my studies in psychology.”
The Halifax, N.S. native will graduate in June from Halifax West High School and will be pursuing a degree in psychology.
“Katelynn has been training inside our provincial and REX program and is one of the top goalkeepers in her age group,” says Tye. “Her athleticism and ability to distribute the ball will help us in the defending and to start the attack.”
Joining Bates and Fines is Haley Birrell. The 5’5 winger Birrell has been a member of HCU since 2007 and was part of the 2014 and 2016 provincial winning squads. She helped lead them to two national club championships with third (2016) and fourth-place (2014) finishes.
Birrell has played for the Nova Scotia provincial team since 2015 and was pivotal in capturing two consecutive Atlantic championship gold medals. Currently a member of the Canada Games core team, Birrell hopes to represent team Nova Scotia at the Canada Games being held this summer in Winnipeg, M.B.
“I am very excited to be attending Dalhousie University next year,” says Birrell. “I look forward to furthering my soccer skills with the Tigers.”
An honours student, Birrell will graduate from CP Allen High School this spring.
“Haley is a speedy and relentless winger who can play on both sides of the ball,” says Tye. “Her experience as a provincial player and with a strong County club a bronze medalist at Nationals will help add to our attacking core.”