Tigers come from behind to win AUS title

ANTIGONISH, NS - The Dalhousie Tigers are the 2025 Atlantic University Sport Men's Soccer champions following a dramatic come from behind 3-2 overtime win in the title match on Sunday afternoon.  

Mohammed Wahdan led the Tigers offence with a hattrick, picking up Boston Pizza Player of the Game and AUS tournament most valuable player honors along the way.   

It marks the 14th conference title for the Dalhousie program and first since 2008. The Capers and Tigers will both represent the AUS at the upcoming U SPORTS national championship set for November 6-9 in Toronto.   

Capers striker Amadu Bayo opened the scoring in the 10th minute, getting to a long through ball from AUS second team all-star and AUS all-rookie team member Yohann Hebert, and one touching it into the net.   

Dalhousie keeper Sinclair Astridge came up with a big save on AUS first team all-star Jamie Nicholson of the Capers in the 21st minute, knocking away a high shot with one hand.  

The Capers possession game kept generating scoring chances early, and an Evan Cunningham cross to the front of the Dalhousie net resulted in an own goal and a 2-0 lead for CBU in the 30th minute.   

AUS MVP and first team all-star midfielder Max Piepgrass unleashed a big free kick at the top of the box early in the second half, but another diving save from Astridge kept the ball out of the net.  

The Tigers then cut the lead in half in the 60th minute, as Wahdan got a foot to a loose ball in front of the Capers net after a corner kick from Woody Bain and made it count.   

The Tigers' intensity picked up from there and Whadan knotted things up in the 71st minute, drilling home a penalty kick after a hard tackle in the box. The middle official flashed a pair of yellow cards after the goal, and the rest of the half remained scoreless.    

Late in the first overtime, a long throw from Tigers defender Joseph Odume found the foot of Whadan in front of the Capers net and he tapped in his third of the night for the hattrick.  

Jack Harrington continued to see action in the Capers net, as the Tigers pulled ahead in shots on goal before the final whistle.   

Dalhousie captain Jack Ellis accepted the championship banner alongside Astridge. It's the first AUS title for Dalhousie head coach Alan Jazic, the 2025 AUS Coach of the Year. The win also means Dalhousie has earned the right to host the 2026 AUS men's soccer championship.    

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper / STFX Athletics