Panthers at Home, September 22–24: the Homecoming edition

This weekend is Homecoming at UPEI! Saturday is packed with games from Women’s Rugby and Men and Women’s Soccer. On Saturday evening, the UPEI Bookstore presents the UPEI Basketball Green vs. White Inter-squad Showdown. And on Sunday, UPEI Women’s Hockey plays in O’Leary as part of the Kraft Hockeyville celebrations.

The first match of the weekend is Saturday at 1:00 pm, when UPEI Women’s Soccer takes on Saint Mary’s University (SMU).

“The team is feeling confident after a good performance and decent result against Acadia,” said coach Graeme McDonald. “We have to go into the game against Saint Mary’s with high intensity and mentally prepared to perform as we look to build on our positive momentum.”

The game will feature a post-game ceremony to celebrate Women’s Soccer Alumna Alanna Taylor.

Women’s Rugby hits the field against SMU at 2:00 pm. Coach John LaBoyne said the team is working hard to bounce back from a pair of big losses against two of the top university rugby teams in Canada.

“The Huskies play a forward-dominated style of game that is hard physically to stop,” said LaBoyne. “They are much improved over last year with new recruits and continued development of their existing players. We lost two of our starters in the game against X, so we have to play people out of position. A number of rookies will be asked to step up their play to fill in some positions.”

Men’s Soccer gets its turn against Saint Mary’s at 3:15 pm. “UPEI Men’s Soccer is eager to bounce back after a tough loss to Acadia,” said coach Lewis Page. “SMU will be one of our main rivals for a playoff spot, so this is a huge game as we approach the half-way point of the season.”

Admission to all Saturday afternoon games is by donation. UPEI Swimming will work the barbecue as a fundraiser for their upcoming season.

Stick around Saturday evening for the first ever UPEI Bookstore Basketball Green vs. White Inter-squad Showcase. Get to know your teams and cheer on your favourite Panther! The women hit the court at 6:00 pm. The men play at 8:00 pm.

Sunday’s home game for UPEI Women’s Hockey will be in the O’Leary Community Sports Centre as part of the Kraft Hockeyville celebrations. The puck drops at 4:00 pm for an exhibition game against St. Thomas University (STU).

“The team is looking forward to going west and playing STU as part of Kraft Hockeyville celebrations,” said coach Bruce Donaldson. “O’Leary has done an amazing job promoting the entire day, and this is a great way for us to showcase AUS hockey. This will be our third game in five days, so it will be interesting to see how our fitness holds up. STU has had a great success against our team over the past number of years—this will be an early opportunity to see how we match up and see if we can change the equation.”

The start of a new season is a great time to pick up your Panther Package. For just $75, you get admission to every home game for UPEI Women’s and Men’s Soccer, UPEI Women’s and Men’s Rugby, UPEI Women’s and Men’s Basketball, and UPEI Women’s Hockey. Head to gopanthersgo.ca and click on ‘tickets’!

And don’t forget, UPEI students get into all Panther home games for free. Let’s fill the stands and make 2017–18 the best season ever!