Women’s Soccer: Team Starts Season with Four Points After Opening Doubleheader
The Blue Devils Women’s Soccer team kicked off their 2024 season with a solid start, securing four points over the opening weekend.
In their first match against the Saint Thomas Tommies, the Blue Devils battled through a tense, scoreless first half despite controlling much of the play. The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when second-year player Georgia Gavas netted a goal to put the Blue Devils ahead. However, the Tommies quickly responded with an equalizer in the 74th minute. The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, earning the Blue Devils one point.
The team then traveled to Saint John, New Brunswick, for their second match of the weekend against the UNBSJ Seawolves. The Blue Devils controlled the game early, with Tia Lovegrove delivering the game’s only goal in the 25th minute. Goalkeeper Ainslie Nicholl-Penman recorded a shutout, helping the Blue Devils claim their first victory of the season, 1-0.
Following their opening weekend, the Blue Devils sit in second place in the standings, trailing only the Holland College Hurricanes.
Men’s Soccer: Blue Devils Open Season with Two Draws
The Blue Devils Men’s Soccer team, defending ACAA champions, began their 2024 campaign with back-to-back draws.
In their home opener against the Tommies, the Blue Devils found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime after an early strike by STU’s Brett Springer. The Tommies doubled their lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 64th minute, but the Blue Devils rallied late. Luke Kotaska gave the team hope with a goal in the 74th minute, and rookie Rowan Houlihan scored the equalizer in the 90th minute, earning the team a hard-fought 2-2 draw.
The team then traveled to Saint John, New Brunswick, for a match against the UNBSJ Seawolves. After falling behind early, Kotaska scored an equalizer in the 46th minute, sending the teams into halftime tied at 1-1. The Seawolves responded with two goals of their own in the second half, but a late surge by the Blue Devils saw Sam Hodd score in the 90th minute. A last-minute foul by the Seawolves awarded the Blue Devils a penalty, which Grayson Walker converted to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw.
The Blue Devils soccer teams will be back in action Wednesday, September 11, when they’ll take on Halifax rivals Mount Saint Vincent at Mainland Commons. Both games will start at 6 p.m.
Men’s Rugby: Kingsmen dominate in season opener
The King’s Men’s Rugby team began their 2024 campaign with a dominating win over the Acadia Axemen, taking the bout 56-0. The Blue Devils ended the first half up 17-0, with an additional seven tries coming in the second half.
Second year Ethan Salsman had a dominating performance, scoring two tries, and was an integral part of nearly 10 more. In his return to the King’s lineup, Nate Cameron scored two tries, as well as some big hits.
The Blue Devils will take on Saint Francis on the road on September 22.
