After a heartbreaking loss in the championship game last season, the UPEI women’s field hockey team begins their season in Halifax this weekend with unfinished business.
A strong nucleus of returning players has head coach Sheila Bell looking to rebound from last year’s 1-0 gold-medal loss to the Dalhousie Tigers by winning a championship of her own.
“We have a strong core returning,” Bell said Thursday. “We have high expectations to continue down the path from last year.”
The Panthers finished second in league play last season, but were unable to score in the Atlantic University Field Hockey Championship game, held at the University of Prince Edward Island.
“This year, our goal is to reach that gold medal game and win that championship,” Bell said.
To achieve that, she is counting on a team-first philosophy and a deep, skilled roster.
“We’re not counting on any one person to win games for us,” she explained. “Each player has to play to their potential as a group. We’re a team that really emphasizes group first, and we’ll be working together towards this goal.”
A strong rookie crop and good leadership from the third- and fourth-year players has expectations soaring.
“We’re pretty confident going into this season,” said captain Lacey MacLauchlan. “We’re really looking to bounce back from last year.”
The 21-year-old fourth-year forward said the club aims to improve its offensive game while relying on its renowned defensive play to carry the day.
Last season’s most valuable player Marina MacAulay will be counted on to lead the charge from the backend. The third-year defender also won rookie of the year honours in 2009-2010.
Bell said that the work of team manager Barb Carmichael and the development of local high school programs have helped boost the level of talent, and better prepare athletes for the varsity level.
Department of Athletics