Michelle Yates joins Dal in her fifth year of eligibility
Michelle Yates, who was a member of the Saint Mary’s Huskies varsity soccer program for four years, has turned in her burgundy jersey and traded it for a black and gold one.
Yates will be competing in her final year of varsity eligibility under the leadership of head coach Jack Hutchinson and the rest of her newly formed Tigers family.
Yates, who was awarded AUS first team all-star and CIS second team all-star honours in 2012, says she relishes in the opportunity to compete for a new squad.
“I thought that with it being such a big school it wouldn’t be as close-knit as Saint Mary’s was, but it’s really, really good here,” she says.
Yates says her switch to Dalhousie did not derive due to a damaged relationship with the Huskies and that it was primarily for academic reasons. The Fall River, NS native intends on pursuing a Bachelor of Science at Dal, specializing in Geology.
Though Yates enjoyed her experience as a Huskie, she is enjoying the competitive environment that head coach Jack Hutchison constantly promotes.
“Jack demands the best and it’s very intense, but I’m enjoying it,” she says.
Yates’ presence is felt every time she steps foot on the field. Her technical ability and speed combined with her general instinctual drive for the game makes Yates an elite member in the AUS. She currently leads the Tigers in goals scored with two after she led the attack in the second half of the Tigers 3-2 loss to the Mount Allison Mounties on Sept. 6. Yates was also named player of the game in Dal’s first two matches.
“I just take what I’ve done so far in my career and try to apply it in each game and each practice to up the level of play,” she says.
For her efforts in the opening weekend of play, Yates was awarded the Dalhousie G2 Athlete of the Week.
Yates says her new teammates were exceptionally welcoming during time of transition.
“I’ve played with most of them on Halifax Dunbrack and a couple of them I’ve played with at Suburban as well. Most of them are local so it’s not really that much different,” she says.
After taking a year off from varsity action, Yates is excited to help the Tigers reclaim the AUS title.
“I don’t want to be overbearing with anything,” she says. “There are already some really good leaders on the team and captains appointed but I just am always trying to up the level of play.”
In Yates’ return to first return to Huskies Stadium on Sept. 13 since becoming a Tiger, she had four shots, but none found the back of the net.
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