Carla Ellis

Carla Ellis was a steady and driving force during a formative time for Dalhousie’s women’s soccer program. Over her five seasons, she played a key role in helping the team grow into a national contender bringing consistency, heart and quiet leadership to every game and every practice. 

Carla earned numerous individual honours throughout her university career: three-time AUS All-Star, AUS League MVP, three-time U SPORTS All-Canadian, CIS National Championship Tournament MVP, and two-time Team MVP. But ask anyone who played alongside her, and they’ll tell you that it was her work ethic, selflessness and belief in the team that set her apart. 

Her second year saw her earn AUS First-Team All-Star and CIS Second-Team All-Canadian recognition, but the best was still to come. In 1993, she helped lead the team to an AUS Championship and a hard-fought silver medal at nationals falling in overtime after an 11-round penalty shootout. That season, she was named AUS MVP, CIS First-Team All-Canadian and Team MVP honours that reflected not just talent, but commitment. 

In her final year, Carla served as captain and helped the team make history, winning Dalhousie’s first-ever CIS National Championship by defeating UBC in the final. She was named CIS Championship MVP, CIS First-Team All-Canadian, and Team MVP once again. That year, she also received the Class of ’55 Award, recognizing athletic ability, sportsmanship, and team spirit. 

Though proud of what the team accomplished, Carla is quick to credit the people around her, the coaches, teammates and staff who made those years so meaningful. Her time at Dalhousie wasn’t just about the wins, but about growing alongside others who shared her love for the game. 

Today, Carla’s connection to the program continues through her sons, Jack and Sam Ellis, who joined the Dalhousie men’s soccer team in 2021 and 2023. 

Carla’s induction into the Dalhousie Sports Hall of Fame reflects not just a decorated playing career, but the quiet leadership and team-first mindset that helped shape a new era of women’s soccer at Dal.