Panthers head to UNB for season’s first AUFH Invitational
The Panthers Field Hockey team is gearing up for a big weekend ahead as they get set for their first tournament of the year.
By Thomas Becker
The Panthers Field Hockey team is gearing up for a big weekend ahead as they get set for their first tournament of the year.
The UNB Reds will be hosting the Sept. 22-23 event, which also features the Acadia Axewomen, Dalhousie Tigers, St. FX X-Women, Saint Mary's Huskies, Mount Allison Mounties as UNBSJ Seawolves as competing universities.
UPEI is trying to build off a season where they came up just short in the Atlantic University Field Hockey (AUFH) Championship, narrowly losing to the Tigers 1-0.
"Dalhousie is always a strong competitor," said head coach Lacey MacLauchlan. "They're generally a very experienced, smart and quick team."
But this year, they intend on taking down the champions once and for all.
"It's hard to say without seeing any other teams play yet, but I like our chances."
In an effort to come out on top this weekend, the team has been working tirelessly on their offensive and defensive schemes and integrating them in game-like situations during practice.
"I'm hoping for a full team approach, from goalie to forwards, everyone working together," she said."We have to play smart, tighten our defence and take advantage of our speed on offence."
Led by veterans Hannah Gormley and Karleigh McEwen in midfield and Alyssa Ferguson and Sarah Sear up front, the Panthers have a potent offence that can compete with the best of them. Goaltender Jacklyn MacKinnon acts as the leader on the defensive end, shutting opposing teams down. The defence, meanwhile, will look significantly different this year. Christie Hall and Kathryn Schenk are returning veterans, but newcomers Kaylin Harbin and Laura Young are expected to come in and make an impact right away.
"We definitely made some additions to our team this year that will benefit us."
The tournament will be a good test for a Panthers squad looking to take home the ultimate prize in October – the AUFH Championship.
But for now, their attention is squarely focused on the task at hand.