Panthers at Home
The Panther men’s and women’s soccer teams play their “second” home-openers of the season this Saturday against Dalhousie. Both Panther teams are looking for their first wins of the season as they play their first-ever games on UPEI’s new artificial turf field. The women’s game begins at 1:00 pm. The men’s starts at 3:15 pm.
“Everyone is looking forward to this game,” said Graeme McDonald, coach of the UPEI Women’s Soccer team. “We will need to put in a solid defensive performance and be more creative in our attack. There is also an extra edge to the occasion with it being our first game on the new turf. The players are focused and ready for it.”
“UPEI Men's Soccer is excited to host Dalhousie this weekend,” said Lewis Page, coach of the men’s team. “There is a history of some great games between our two teams over the years, and I expect another classic this Saturday.”
Chris Huggan, Director of Athletics and Recreation at UPEI, said he’s looking forward to big a crowd for Saturday’s games on the new artificial turf. “We are very excited that our women's and men's soccer teams will have their true ‘home openers’ on the new turf field,” said Huggan. “We hope everyone will come out to support the teams and to celebrate the completion of the project. A big thanks to the funding partners ACOA, the Province of Prince Edward Island, Holland College, and the UPEI Inspire! campaign for sharing in the vision.”
Both ice hockey teams will see exhibition action on the Island this weekend. The women play host to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Saturday at 4:30 pm in Cody Banks Arena.
“We are looking forward to playing an out-of-conference team,” said Bruce Donaldson, coach of the UPEI Women’s Hockey team. “We played them a few years ago, and I know the program has developed nicely since then. Both teams are looking to gain preseason experience, so this should be a great contest.”
The UPEI Men’s Hockey team hosts Université de Moncton on Saturday for an exhibition game in Montague at the Montague Wellness Centre. The puck drops at 7:00 pm. The game is a fundraiser for minor hockey, ringette, and the Skills and Drills Program.
“We are looking forward to getting to Montague for our only home game this exhibition season,” said coach Forbes MacPherson. “We have a lot of work to do, and this game is the next step in our progress.”
The game is sponsored by Fair Isle Ford. UPEI Men’s Hockey season tickets will be available for purchase or renewal. Season ticket holders will be admitted to the exhibition game for free.
It’s not too late to purchase your Panther Package, the best sports deal on Prince Edward Island! Your $75 season ticket gets you into every home Panther home game, in every sport (except Men’s Hockey). Find more details at gopanthersgo.ca.
