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There are more than a few fresh pairs of legs on both the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 soccer teams. More than half of each team鈥檚 roster is comprised of student-athletes in their first or second year of eligibility.

The women鈥檚 team had a strong performance last season losing 0-1 in the conference final to Cape Breton University, the team which later went on to claim the national championship. Despite this year鈥檚 change in personnel, the team still has high expectations for the 2008-09 season. The Tigers will be led by first team AUS all-star Stephanie Collins and second team AUS all-star Jeanette Huck. These returning players will serve as co-captains for the squad.

At the helm for the women鈥檚 team for his second year is Jack Hutchison. His recruiting efforts have rounded up players from Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia. One of these new additions is Halifax native Reika Santilli. She brings experience from both provincial and National Training Centre programs and also gained valuable experience as a midfielder with the Halifax City Soccer Club鈥檚 senior A women鈥檚 team.

Catch a game - On Saturday, Oct. 18, the women's soccer team meets Memorial University at 1 p.m. on Wickwire Field. The men's team meets Memorial at 3:15 p.m. - On Sunday, Oct. 19: The Dal teams play at Saint Mary's University. The women's match starts at 1 p.m., the men's match at 3:15 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for alumni, faculty and staff. Admission is always free for Dal students with ID.

鈥淩eika is a player who has excellent skills, will be able to adjust to our speed of play from her experience in the women鈥檚 premier league,鈥� says Coach Hutchison.

During the women鈥檚 home opening game against Acadia on Sunday, Sept. 7, the Tigers had to settle for a 0-0 tie, but the key veterans stepped up and ensured the tie didn鈥檛 turn into a loss.
The men鈥檚 team is also going to be looking for leadership from their returning players such as team captain, John Ballantyne and second team AUS all-star Ross Hagen. Like his counterpart, head coach Pat Nearing also had a successful recruiting season and these players have helped bring a new energy to the team.

One rookie that has a bright future in the league is Kerry Weymann, an engineering student from Mission, B.C. Coach Nearing was impressed by the 6鈥�3鈥� center back in the team鈥檚 pre-season tour to Maine and training camp.

鈥淜erry is a young player, but has a wealth of playing experience in the B.C. men鈥檚 leagues. His size and athleticism are impressive but his vision on the field and his ability to play under pressure will be his most important characteristics in the AUS soccer league.鈥�

The men鈥檚 team also played their home opener on Sunday, Sept. 7 against Acadia and started their season off with a 2-0 win. Mr. Weymann netted the team鈥檚 first goal on a header off a corner kick. The Tigers鈥� second goal also came courtesy of rookie Julian Perrotta.

With the men鈥檚 soccer team finishing last season at the bottom of the standings, this season has gotten off to a much brighter start.