(HALIFAX, N.S.) The Cape Breton Capers have claimed the top spot in this year's women's soccer pre-season survey of the head coaches. The results of the 2023 coaches' poll were shared Thursday ahead of regular season play kicking off this weekend.
This marks the fourth year for the AUS soccer pre-season coaches' poll, which is voted on by the league's 10 head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
The reigning conference champion Capers, who earned six first-place votes and a total of 78 points in the poll, finished the 2022 regular season in first place with a 10-2-0 record. They went on to defeat the STFX X-Women 1-0 in the conference semi-finals, moving on to take down the Dalhousie Tigers 1-0 in the championship final.
The Tigers, 2022 AUS finalists, followed the Capers in the 2023 coaches' poll, earning 69 points and two first-place votes. They finished the last regular season in second place with an 8-0-4 record.
The STFX X-Women finished closely behind in this year's poll, earning 66 points and one first-place vote. They were followed by the Acadia Axewomen (2021 conference champions) with 63 points and one first-place vote.
This year's AUS Women's Soccer Championship will be hosted jointly with the men's championship by the Cape Breton Capers in Sydney, N.S. Oct. 26 to 29.
The 2023 regular season opens Friday evening with the Memorial Sea-Hawks hosting the Tigers, the Axewomen hosting the Saint Mary's Huskies and the UPEI Panthers hosting the Mount Allison Mounties.
All 10 AUS women's soccer teams will be in action this weekend. League games and championships will be available live on AUStv at www.AUStv.ca
For a preview of the 2023 AUS women's soccer season, click here. Find the complete AUS women's soccer schedule here.