2024 AUS women's soccer season set to begin Friday night
HALIFAX, NS (Aug. 29, 2024) – On paper, the 2024 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women’s soccer season is shaping up to be fantastic.
Look no further than the pre-season coaches poll in which four different teams (STFX, Cape Breton, Acadia and Dalhousie) received first place votes ranking them as a squad that could win it all. And no, head coaches cannot pick themselves in this fun little exercise.
Confirming this notion even further is Graham Kennedy, head coach of the defending champs from STFX.
“I think the 2024 AUS women’s soccer league is the strongest in the history of the league,” he said matter of factly.
Kennedy’s X-Women defeated the championship’s host, the Cape Breton University Capers, 2-1 in last year’s final to give the program their fourth AUS title. As the winners, STFX earned the right to host this year’s AUS Women’s Soccer Championship, presented by Bell, set for Oct. 24-27.
“Being the host is a definite advantage that exceeds any pressure that may exist,” he said when asked what pros and cons come with hosting. “You sleep in your own bed, prepare, and play in familiar surroundings with the added benefit of having your home fans.”
The Capers won their first AUS title in 2003 and have been a powerhouse ever since, rattling off 11 more trophy grabs since then. Even when they don’t win, they seem to always be in the mix. Five of the last six AUS title games have featured the Capers on one side of the pitch.
And any team that returns the AUS single game (6), single season (25) and all-time goal scoring (56) record should be considered dangerous. The Capers do just that with Alliyah Rowe.
While it seems like STFX and Cape Breton receive a lot of the spotlight, it should be reminded that three separate head coaches picked the 2021 champions from Acadia to finish first this season. The Axewomen went 8-2-2 last season before falling to the Capers in the AUS semifinal.
The Axewomen have eight women on the team this season who were also on that 2021 squad that won it all, including goalkeeper Milena Ramirez. Those leaders will be counted upon to try get Acadia back atop the mountain.
Dalhousie is in an interesting spot, as they already know what their plans are for Nov. 7-10, as the Tigers are hosting the 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Soccer National Championship at Wickwire Field.
Tigers head coach Cindy Tye watched as the Cape Breton men’s soccer team hosted, and won, the U SPORTS National Championship just last season. And while Tye would like to see another national title come back to the Atlantic, she remains focused on the process it will take to achieve that feat.
“The team has been working hard in the season lead up with some exciting new faces on the roster,” said Tye. “We will approach the season like any other, working through a competitive AUS league with the goal of gaining a little each week. This will certainly help us in our preparation to compete with top programs across the country.”
The event comes on the 30th anniversary of the program’s 1994 national gold medal win and since being named the hosts in the summer of 2023, Tye says the department has been hard at work to welcome Canada’s best.
“The preparation to host the event has been ongoing and has involved many staff from our athletic department. Monthly meetings turning into weekly as we work to make this tournament a memorable one for all participants,” Tye stated.
All 10 teams will be in action this weekend with Memorial taking on UPEI, Cape Breton squaring off against UNB, Acadia heading to Mount Allison and STFX battling Saint Mary’s on Friday with 5 p.m. kickoffs. Moncton and Dalhousie begin their AUS seasons on Saturday with the Tigers playing host in a 3 p.m. start.
On Sunday, Cape Breton takes on host UPEI in an 11 a.m. start. Memorial meets SMU and Mount Allison challenges UNB in 1 p.m. kickoffs. Moncton and Acadia finish the weekend Sunday night at 5 p.m.