Chiara Esposito and Owen Smith named UPEI Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes student-athletes for their achievements and contributions to their respective sports. The UPEI Panther Source for Sports Athletes of the Week for February 2–8 are Chiara Esposito (women’s hockey) and Owen Smith (men’s basketball).

Esposito is a fifth-year science student from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is putting together the best season of her career in her final year, and her two-way play was a driving force behind the Panthers’ weekend sweep of the Saint Mary’s Huskies and the Dalhousie Tigers. In the dramatic 4-3 comeback win over the Tigers on February 8, the veteran forward delivered the decisive moment, scoring the winning goal off a faceoff draw in overtime.

“Chiara has been really consistent for us the last month, and this week she really started to peak,” said Sean Fisher, UPEI Women’s Hockey Panthers head coach. “She has been elite in all facets of the game and a great leader for us in a critical time of the year.”

Smith is an arts student from Harvey York County, New Brunswick. In the midst of a career year, Smith delivered his best weekend yet. The third-year sharpshooter was lights-out from beyond the arc, knocking down 9-of-19 three-point attempts over two games against the Cape Breton Capers. His biggest moment came during the game on February 7, when UPEI erased a deficit by outscoring Cape Breton 37-17 in the fourth quarter. Smith led the charge, pouring in 17 of his career-high 27 points in the final frame while shooting 7-of-14 three-pointers.

“Owen hit some big threes down the stretch on Friday that helped us clinch a playoff spot. He’s been shooting the ball with a lot of confidence lately, and we’ll need him to keep making shots if we want to be successful in the postseason,” said Darrell Glenn, UPEI Men’s Basketball Panthers head coach.

Go Panthers Go!