The Kings' Blue Devil's men's soccer team has added Mike Ayyash as an assistant coach for this season.
Ayyash has experience in the Nova Scotia provincial soccer program, where he was an assistant with the under-15 age group, as well as with Bedford and Halifax County soccer clubs.
Ayyash joins Matt Fegan (who plays for Halifax City against Kings' tonight) in head coach C.J. Young's coaching staff.
Ayyash, Young, and Fegan all played for Kings' in the 2001-2002 season, which ended in an extra-time defeat to UNB Saint John's in the ACAA finals.
"[I] had a great time playing for the college and C.J. asked me to come on board as an assistant," said Ayyash.
He's still learning the ropes with Kings', as he's not familiar with the more recent ACAA. He admits that he's still learning who the players are. Given it's his second day on the job, that's understandable.
He has yet to really set expectations, but has a competitive philosophy:
"Any time you go into any season, you want to be competitive and win every game you play."
Kings' first home game is September 19th as St. Thomas University comes to visit.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Kings' Men Practice Report
The Kings' mens soccer team is beginning to take shape for the season.
They play a preseason match tonight (Thursday, 9pm, Wickwire Field) against local NSSL side Halifax City.
"Not worried about the result. Just a tune-up for the weekend," said Kings coach C.J. Young.
The real match is Saturday's season opener away to Holland College. Young doesn;t quite know what to expect from the team Kings beat in the ACAA finals last year.
"They're programs are only 2-3 years, so they have a lot of turnover of players," said Young.
Kings' defeated Holland College on penalties in last year's final, with departed keeper Mike Beazley proving crucial.
"It's a bit of a grudge match," said captain Greg Bathe. Bathe returns as team captain after making the CCAA tournament all-star team last year.
The starting keeper spot is up for grabs, with last year's back-up Josh Viner perhaps having a bit of an edge over two others trying out.
Kings will also look to rookies Nino Kovacevic and Ken Wallingford to contribute.
Kovacevic plays central midfield and if Wednesday's practice is anything to judge by, he can move the ball around.
"Should be a good pivotal player," said Young, meaning he can defend and attack. "The league isn't full of talented centre mids, so it's nice to have one."
The Blue Devils have already played an exhibition game against AUS' Acadia Axemen soccer team. Kings' won 2-1. For an ACAA team, technically a level below AUS, that's a significant accomplishment.
They play a preseason match tonight (Thursday, 9pm, Wickwire Field) against local NSSL side Halifax City.
"Not worried about the result. Just a tune-up for the weekend," said Kings coach C.J. Young.
The real match is Saturday's season opener away to Holland College. Young doesn;t quite know what to expect from the team Kings beat in the ACAA finals last year.
"They're programs are only 2-3 years, so they have a lot of turnover of players," said Young.
Kings' defeated Holland College on penalties in last year's final, with departed keeper Mike Beazley proving crucial.
"It's a bit of a grudge match," said captain Greg Bathe. Bathe returns as team captain after making the CCAA tournament all-star team last year.
The starting keeper spot is up for grabs, with last year's back-up Josh Viner perhaps having a bit of an edge over two others trying out.
Kings will also look to rookies Nino Kovacevic and Ken Wallingford to contribute.
Kovacevic plays central midfield and if Wednesday's practice is anything to judge by, he can move the ball around.
"Should be a good pivotal player," said Young, meaning he can defend and attack. "The league isn't full of talented centre mids, so it's nice to have one."
The Blue Devils have already played an exhibition game against AUS' Acadia Axemen soccer team. Kings' won 2-1. For an ACAA team, technically a level below AUS, that's a significant accomplishment.
Dalhousie Women Preseason Update
The Tigers women soccer team practised last night (Wednesday), in preparation for hosting Cape Breton in a tough home opener on Saturday (1pm, Wickwire Field).
"It's been really intense this week," said striker Kate MacDonald after practice. "Just getting the feel for how we play because we've got 9 new people."
The practice involved a lot of positional practice and tactical work, with coach Jack Hutchison frequently interrupting scrimmages to reposition players and work out runs.
Hutchison has a few more options up front this year, with the additions of Emma Landry, Beth O'Reilly, Joanna Blodgett, and Brianna Ford, all players who can contribute offensively.
"Our rookies are very, very good," said MacDonald, mentioning O'Reilly and rookie keeper Taryn McKenna, as well as transfer players Laura Johnstone, Ashley Donald, and Teresa Morrison.
Johnstone is a former Queens University player in the very competitive OUA. Donald captained Saint Mary's last year and Morrison was captain of St. FX.
All three are defensive players. Morrison is the only one to score so far this year, but she spent most of Sunday's 4-0 win over SMU shutting down the Huskies in a holding midfield role. Donald was used similarly, and Johnstone is listed as defender, although she has yet to play much.
With a lot of experience at the back, MacDonald will be relied upon to provide scoring, along with help from the rookies.
This year, she has moved to a more central role, from the wing where she was the team's leading scorer last year.
"It's a lot more of holding the ball, linking through balls," said MacDonald. "I like the striker more--it's a little more intense and you score more goals."
"It's been really intense this week," said striker Kate MacDonald after practice. "Just getting the feel for how we play because we've got 9 new people."
The practice involved a lot of positional practice and tactical work, with coach Jack Hutchison frequently interrupting scrimmages to reposition players and work out runs.
Hutchison has a few more options up front this year, with the additions of Emma Landry, Beth O'Reilly, Joanna Blodgett, and Brianna Ford, all players who can contribute offensively.
"Our rookies are very, very good," said MacDonald, mentioning O'Reilly and rookie keeper Taryn McKenna, as well as transfer players Laura Johnstone, Ashley Donald, and Teresa Morrison.
Johnstone is a former Queens University player in the very competitive OUA. Donald captained Saint Mary's last year and Morrison was captain of St. FX.
All three are defensive players. Morrison is the only one to score so far this year, but she spent most of Sunday's 4-0 win over SMU shutting down the Huskies in a holding midfield role. Donald was used similarly, and Johnstone is listed as defender, although she has yet to play much.
With a lot of experience at the back, MacDonald will be relied upon to provide scoring, along with help from the rookies.
This year, she has moved to a more central role, from the wing where she was the team's leading scorer last year.
"It's a lot more of holding the ball, linking through balls," said MacDonald. "I like the striker more--it's a little more intense and you score more goals."
A Few Things Clarified and Dal Women's Roster
As you may know if you've been following our reports, we've been working without rosters for the last few days. Good news is, they're out now. Here are a few of the more glaring corrections:
Dalhousie Tigers Womens Roster (from Dal Atheltics website):
Some thoughts on this team:
It looks a good team, from what we've seen on the field. 12 new players coming in by my count.
It is perhaps a group that will score a few more goals than last year. Both Emma Landry and Beth O'Reilly look promising and have seen some considerable preseason playing time from coach Jack Hutchison.
Stephanie Crewe has looked poised at left back and may give Alannah MacLean a little bit of a fight for her spot. Ashely Donald will give tremendous depth to a back line that was already very, very good last year. The loss of Stephanie Collins will hurt, but Donald is a more than adequate replacement.
Dal were second only to CBU in the least goals conceded in AUS last year. That was due in large part to the Capers Jessica MacDermid.
The biggest weakness, though it is probably a small one, is the central midfield. Reika Santilli was playing with Donald, who more often played defense for SMU last year. It remains to be seen if that combination works out.
The Tigers lack a striker over 5'8, and most of their regulars are shorter than that, which means balls will need to come on from the midfield on the ground more so than in the air from the defense. Look for a lot of wing play from Huck, MacLean, Crewe, and Richard to make-up for the lack of depth at central midfield.
-Dylan Matthias
- Using last year's rosters as best we could, we incorrectly identified Ashley Donald as a SMU player. She has since transferred to Dal and is wearing number 14 this year, which means she was labelled as Sarah Lye--who is not returning--in previosu posts.
- Alannah MacLean has switched to #12 which means she's been listed as Emily Cox for a few posts.
- Katelyn Grechuck is in fact Brianna Ford.
- Taryn McKenna was incorrectly idnetified as Hanna Bebb.
- The mysterious #8 is Beth O'Reilly.
- #7 is Stephanie Crewe.
- #4 is Teresa Morrison, formerly of St. FX.
- Joanna Blodgett's name is not spelled Boldgett.
Dalhousie Tigers Womens Roster (from Dal Atheltics website):
# | Name | Position | Hometown | Major |
| | Louise Yeon | Keeper | Ottawa, ON | Science |
| | Rebecca Holm | Keeper | Calgary, AB | Science |
| | Taryn McKenna | Keeper | Calgary, AB | Arts |
| | Haley MacDonald | Striker | Tsawwassen, BC | Science |
| | Lesley d'Apollonia | Striker | Dartmouth, NS | Kinesiology |
| | Teresa Morrison | Midfield | Halifax, NS | Dentistry |
| | Colleen MacDonald | Defence | Elmsdale, NS | Arts |
| | Katie Richard | Striker | Halifax, NS | Arts |
| | Stephanie Crewe | Defence | Dartmouth, NS | Science |
| | Beth O'Reilly | Striker | Dartmouth, NS | Science |
| | Kate MacDonald | Striker | Elmsdale, NS | Kinesiology |
| | Jeanette Huck | Defence | Hatchet Lake, NS | Commerce |
| | Laura Johnstone | Defence | Dartmouth, NS | MREM |
| | Alannah MacLean | Defence | Vancouver, BC | Arts |
| | Joanna Blodgett | Midfield | Ottawa, ON | Science |
| | Ashley Donald | Midfield | Hamilton, ON | Law |
| | Kim Hardy | Defence | Dartmouth, NS | Science |
| | Kyla Gunderson | Midfield | Vancouver, BC | Arts |
| | Anna McKilligan | Midfield | Vancouver, BC | English |
| | Reika Santilli | Midfield | Halifax, NS | Commerce |
| | Emma Landry | Midfield | Ottawa, ON | Science |
| | Gillian Clarke | Defence | Calgary, AB | Arts |
| | Brianna Ford | Striker | Halifax, NS | Arts |
| | Amanda Henry | Midfield | Winnipeg, MB | Science |
| | Heather Armstrong | Keeper | Ottawa, ON | Engineering |
Some thoughts on this team:
It looks a good team, from what we've seen on the field. 12 new players coming in by my count.
It is perhaps a group that will score a few more goals than last year. Both Emma Landry and Beth O'Reilly look promising and have seen some considerable preseason playing time from coach Jack Hutchison.
Stephanie Crewe has looked poised at left back and may give Alannah MacLean a little bit of a fight for her spot. Ashely Donald will give tremendous depth to a back line that was already very, very good last year. The loss of Stephanie Collins will hurt, but Donald is a more than adequate replacement.
Dal were second only to CBU in the least goals conceded in AUS last year. That was due in large part to the Capers Jessica MacDermid.
The biggest weakness, though it is probably a small one, is the central midfield. Reika Santilli was playing with Donald, who more often played defense for SMU last year. It remains to be seen if that combination works out.
The Tigers lack a striker over 5'8, and most of their regulars are shorter than that, which means balls will need to come on from the midfield on the ground more so than in the air from the defense. Look for a lot of wing play from Huck, MacLean, Crewe, and Richard to make-up for the lack of depth at central midfield.
-Dylan Matthias
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