Championship Preview: Panthers look to capture title on home soil
After a near perfect season, UPEI’s women’s field hockey team will face their biggest test to date when they host the AUFH Championships as the odds-on favourite.
By Thomas Becker
After a near perfect season, UPEI's women's field hockey team will face their biggest test to date when they host the AUFH Championships as the odds-on favourite.
The Panthers were simply unbeatable and finished with an impressive 9-0-1 record. The lone tie came on Oct. 14 against rival and back-to-back champions the Dalhousie Tigers.
Over the 10 games, Lacey MacLauchlan's team scored a league-high 33 goals while surrendering just six to lead the way.
"We have a very well-rounded and experienced team this year," the bench boss said. "We've worked really hard for our undefeated record."
The Panthers have earned the right to feel confident heading into the final tournament and they're excited to show the home crowd what they're made of.
"We're not feeling the pressure, we're just excited to get started," MacLauchlan said."We're going to use our confidence to our advantage this weekend."
UPEI had the best offensive unit this season and fielded the league's three top scorers in Alyssa Ferguson (11), Kelsey Gallant (8) and Sarah Sear (8). They'll be counted on again to get ball in the net.
"We'll be looking at all our forwards to create and capitalize on chances. Alyssa has scored some very important goals for us this season, so we'll be looking for her to continue that."
Defensively, they're no slouch either. Midfielders Karleigh McEwen, Hannah Gormley, Haley Grimmer and Laura Young have excelled as the first line of defence, while defenceman Kaylin Harbin and goaltender Jacklyn MacKinnon have limited the damage when the opposition found room to attack.
Dalhousie continues to be the Panthers' biggest threat, while the St. FX X-Women finished with the second best record at 7-2-1. Saint Mary's (5-4-1) was the only other team to finish with a plus .500 record and has an outside shot at taking the title. The UNB Reds, Acadia Axewomen, Mount Allison Mounties and UNB SJ Seawolves round out the remaining competition.
"We'll need a solid effort from everyone on the team," MacLauchlan said. "To be successful, our defence needs to be tight and we have to capitalize on our opportunities when they come."
SCHEDULE
Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018
Game 1: 1st Tier 1 vs. 4th Tier 2 – UPEI vs UNB SJ (12 PM)
Game 2: 4th Tier 1 vs. 1st Tier 2 – UNB vs St FX (1:10 PM)
Game 3: 2nd Tier 1 vs. 3rd Tier 2 – DAL vs Mt. A (2:20 PM)
Game 4: 3rd Tier 1 vs. 2nd Tier 2 – SMU vs. Acadia (3:30 PM)
Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (4:40 PM)
Game 6: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (5:50 PM)
Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018
Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 (9 AM)
Game 8: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 (10:10 AM)
Game 9: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 [7/8] (11:20 AM)
Game 10: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 [5/6] (12:30 PM)
Third-place Game: Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8 [3/4] (1:40 PM)
Final: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 [1/2] (2:50 PM)