Dal hosts soccer tournament for the first time in 28 years 

The Dalhousie Tigers women’s soccer team were defeated 4-0 in their first match at the USports Championship Thursday night against the top-ranked and reigning champion UBC Thunderbirds.  

Despite the Tigers’ early exit, organizers see this as an opportunity to showcase the university’s sports programs and facilities. 

Halifax is emerging as the hotspot for women’s soccer in Canada. The city is becoming a “sweet spot,” according to Dalhousie’s senior director of marketing and events, Chelsea Norris.

“We think this is a huge opportunity, we’re at the peak of an explosion for women’s sports.”  

The tournament at Wickwire Field features 11 games with eight teams from across the country and over 200 players, all vying for the national championship.

Dalhousie is hosting the tournament for the second time, with the first being in 1996. 

This year’s tournament coincides with the 30^th anniversary of the Tigers’ first national championship in 1994. 

Dalhousie last hosted a USports tournament in 2019, when the Tigers hosted the men’s basketball championship.  

Chad Beaulieu, coach of the Royal Military College of Canada’s women’s soccer team, said that “the atmosphere that we’ve seen so far at all the matches has been fantastic and we can really see that the community has got behind this championship.” 

Volunteer Eva Nechvatal said hosting this tournament “means everything for the Dal community.

“Our varsity athletes are here supporting our women’s soccer team.

“It’s awesome to be able to play at this level on this stage and have that recognition and have everyone come out here to support our Tigers.” 

While the Tigers did not advance in the tournament, there was still a loud and supportive crowd even after the final whistle blew.

One fan, Dalhousie student Jada Benwall, said the national spotlight was a good chance to promote her school on such a national stage.

“It’s cool to get to showcase Dal to all the other universities.”  

Organizers and fans were well aware that Dalhousie’s team were unlikely to move on.

“We were seeded 8^th, we have to face the No. 1 seed UBC. So, it’s a bit of an uphill climb,” said Norris.

The attention brought to Dalhousie by the tournament allows for a platform that is not always available to teams in this part of the country.

“I’m really hoping it’ll help get more attention to AUS sports in general, on the Atlantic side out here,” said Nechvatal.

The Tigers were to play in a consolation game on Friday afternoon against the Nipissing Lakers to determine the team’s final placing in the tournament.