Memorial Sea-Hawks vs. Mount Allison Mounties
The Memorial Sea-Hawks open their season this weekend, taking on the Mount Allison Mounties. Their two-game set kicks off 1:00 PM on Saturday September 9th at King George V followed by a Sunday matchup at noon. The Sea-Hawks finished last year second in the regular season standings, with a record of 10-1-1. Though they finished behind 11-1-0 Cape Breton, Memorial's high powered offense was far and away the best in the conference, finishing the year with 51 goals for, while allowing a league second-best 9. Their goal differential of +42 was easily the best in the AUS, and the Sea-Hawks will be looking for more of the same when they start the season Saturday afternoon.
Part of that potent offense was Jessie Noseworthy and her U Sports leading 14 goals and 23 points led this team to a playoff berth – a first round bye in fact. Unfortunately, the team was bounced in the semi-finals by Acadia in a heart-breaking overtime game. However, in speaking to the coaching staff, it seems that last year is behind them and the Sea-Hawks are ready to take the AUS by storm again this season. Coach Mike Power said, about the upcoming season, "Both the returning players and the recruits have all come in healthy, fit, and hungry. We hope to be a contender in the AUS this season and continue to build on the success we have had in recent years. We will face a lot of quality opponents throughout the season and are looking forward to those challenges." In reference to the high-octane offense that the team unleashed upon the league last year, Coach Power was quick to credit his two stud goal scorers; "Jessie and Jane (Pope) continue to lead our offensive output. Both are proven goal scorers and providers, and perennial AUS all-stars. We are looking forward to their leadership as 5th year student athletes."
Finally, Power commented on the core group of the team, including the addition of outstanding rookie keeper, Sydney Walsh. "Rookie goalkeeper Sydney Walsh is coming off a tournament all-star performance at the Canada Games and is motivated to continue that momentum into her debut AUS campaign. I believe our defensive core has improved in terms of both quality and depth this year which will help Sydney at that end of the park."
With an improved defensive core, and an offense that will continue to strike fear into opponents, the Sea-Hawks are poised for another great campaign in 2017. Be sure to come down to King George V this weekend to check out the action, and remember you can catch all the AUS soccer action this year on AUStv.ca.
By: Tom Penney