Another season of Tigers varsity competition is about to get underway, with new faces looking to make a big difference.
The athletics year gets its proper kickoff this Saturday, as the women’s and men’s soccer teams each host their home opener against UPEI at Wickwire Field. The women’s game starts at 1 p.m., with the men’s showdown following at 3:15 p.m.
There are countless new recruits across the various Tigers teams this year. Here are just a few of them worth highlighting.
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Kristy McGregor-Bales, women's soccer
An Ottawa, ON native, Kristy McGregor-Bales is a 5’10” centre back who is expected to lead the Tigers on defense this season. She played for the Louis-Riel High School Rebelles in Ottawa where she led the team to the National Capital city championship title in 2008 and 2010 and the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) provincial championship title in 2009 and 2011.
This past season, Ms. McGregor-Bales was the team’s captain and in recognition of her leadership, academic and athletic pilipiliÂţ», she received the Colin Hood OFSAA School Sport Award. The past two seasons she has also been a member of the Ottawa South United Soccer Club in the elite Ontario Youth Soccer League (OYSL) and she was a member of the U15 Ontario provincial team. Â
Bezick Evraire-Chance, men's soccer
Midfielder Bezick Evraire-Chance joins the Tigers with international experience, having competed in tournaments in France and Spain with the FC Capital United. He has been a member of the Ottawa Fury Soccer Club the last three seasons and has led the U16 and U17 teams to finish at the top of their divisions. This past season he collected eight goals and 15 assists in 12 games with the Fury.
A recent honour roll graduate of St. Matthew Catholic High School in Ottawa, ON, Mr. Evaire-Chance led his high school soccer team as captain and was a three-time team MVP. His talent and hard work on the field has earned him a position on the Ottawa Fury PDL reserve team and was invited to a Westham United training camp in California, though he declined to focus on his studies. He’ll be starting his Bachelor of Arts program this fall.
Maggie Li, women’s volleyball
A middle blocker originally from Beijing, China, Maggie Li moved to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island when she was 14 and is a graduate of Colonel Gray High School. A member of the Colonel Gray High School girl’s volleyball team, she helped the team to capture the PEISAA volleyball provincial championship three years in a row (2008-10) and was named the tournament MVP all three years.
Ms. Li was honoured as the Colonel Gray High School volleyball team MVP in 2009 and 2010 and as the school’s Female Athlete of the year for 2009-10. Volleyball PEI selected her as the PEI Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 2009 and 2010. A well-rounded athlete, she has also achieved distinctions in basketball and track and field.
Sarah Robichaud, women’s hockey
Sarah Robichaud joins Dalhousie’s front line from Weymouth, NS. Last year she led the Ridley College Tigers varsity hockey team in St. Catharines, ON as their leading scorer with 45 goals and 56 assists. She has a lot of provincial team experience as a key member of Nova Scotia’s 2011 Canada Winter Games hockey team and has earned three gold medals and one silver medal at several Atlantic Cup tournaments.
Ms. Robichaud has received numerous accolades including being named the Ridley College 2010 women's hockey Most Improved Player. In her senior year of high school at Ridley College she maintained an 80 percent average academically, and she’ll be starting her Bachelor of Arts program this fall.
Tessa Stammburger, women’s basketball
New to the women’s team is Tessa Stammberger, a native of Kensington, PEI. This past year, in high school, she averaged 17.2 points and 12 rebounds per game. A starter for the U17 Nova Scotia provincial team last summer, she led her team to a fourth place finish after an overtime loss at the championship tournament.
In the 2009-10 season, Ms. Stammburger led her high school team, the Grammar Gryphons, to the NSSAF championship as the top scorer of the tournament. She enters Dalhousie’s kinesiology program this fall.
David MacDonald, men’s hockey
David MacDonald is a two-time all-star defenceman who helped the Saint Mary’s Huskies win the University Cup national men’s title in 2010. He’s transferring to Dal this fall to pursue a law degree, and is expected to make a huge difference to the Tigers’ defence.
A Baddeck native, Mr. MacDonald joined the Huskies following three years in the QMJHL, scoring nine goals among 54 points in 54 games in his third and fourth seasons.