UPEI Field Hockey ready for AUFH Championship Weekend
UPEI Field Hockey is ready to challenge for the Atlantic University Field Hockey Championship this weekend in Halifax. After finishing regular season tournament play in third, the Panthers look to play their best field hockey of the season at the right time.
Coach Sheila Bell commented, “As we enter into our final tournament with high expectations and feeling confident in all areas of the field, we look forward to playing quality competition. SMU has played us strong all season and we have made adjustments in order to reach our potential offensively.”
She added, “We will be counting on our veterans Kathryn Koughan and Sydney Stavert to set the tone and bring a new level of intensity as they have been doing leading up to this weekend. Laura Young has moved from centre back to the wing and has proven she has a natural scoring touch which will compliment Alyssa Ferguson up front.”
In Saturday’s pool play, UPEI will play SMU (1st in tier 1) at 1:00 pm and Acadia (3rd in Tier 2) at 3:00 pm. Both games will be played on Dalhousie’s turf field. Championship Sunday will be hosted by SMU with Semifinal #1 (1st Pool A vs 2nd in Pool B ) at 9:00 am and Semifinal #2 ( 1st Pool B vs 2nd in Pool A) at 10:15 am.
The AUFH Bronze Medal game is scheduled for 12:30 pm with the Championship at 2:30 pm. The All-Star and Major Awards presentation will follow the Championship game.
League play consisted for two tiers; tier 1 was comprised of UPEI, SMU, and DAL and tier 2 UNB, Acadia, St FX, and Mt A, but both tiers come together as one for the Atlantic Championship.
UPEI have two graduating students in their line up: Emily Ross, defender and fourth-year Nursing student and Katherine Koughan, sweeper and Business student.
In honour of the late Ralph Manning, the Panthers will wear “RM” on their uniforms. During the Field Hockey team’s recent home tournament at UPEI which included 16 games and 7 universities, Manning’s team of physiotherapists and trainers covered the entire tournament. The team will be playing for Ralph this weekend.
“We are going into this tournament with heavy hearts,” said Bell. “And we will be remembering Ralph Manning and honouring his dedication and kindness he shared with so many.”
About UPEI Athletics and Recreation
• Nine varsity sports and six club team programs
• Proud member of the AUS and CIS
• Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place
• Home of Panther Sports Medicine
• Other facilities available to students and the community at large include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts, competition and leisure pool with hot tub, and two ice arenas
