UPEI wins fourth AUFHL title in a row

Jason Simmonds
5 Min Read
UPEI wins fourth AUFHL title in a row

The UPEI Panthers won their fourth Atlantic University Field Hockey League championship in a row on Oct. 19 at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. The Panthers defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 3-0 in the championship game. Members of the Panthers are, front row, from left: Bria Matthews and Alexis Marshall. Middle row: Renee McCardle, Leah Sentner, Kayla Batchilder, Katie Grace Noye, Charlotte Thompson, Leah MacPhail, Lauren Graves and Miah Lawlor. Back row: Barb Carmichael (manager), Lacey MacLauchlan (head coach), Kali Smith, Rachael Campbell, Olivia Lea, Sophie Crabbe, Livi Lawlor, Sarah Peters, Carly Acorn, Molly MacNeill, Taryn MacInnis, Jenaya Ross, Melia Mason, Ella MacDougall and Sydney Livingstone (assistant coach). ContributedArticle contentThe UPEI Panthers have found the winning formula in the Atlantic University Field Hockey League.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Panthers, who went 11-0-1 (won-lost-tied) in the regular season, remained undefeated in 2025 by posting two playoff wins on Oct. 19 in Halifax to claim the program’s fourth league title in a row.Article contentArticle content“It feels pretty good, especially to end my years at UPEI finishing with winning every year with a great group of girls,” said Panthers centre-mid Livi Lawlor of Charlottetown.Article contentArticle contentAnd the Panthers have done it with homegrown talent. UPEI head coach Lacey MacLauchlan pointed out 17 players on the 18-women roster are from P.E.I.Article content“It’s a testament to the product of field hockey (in P.E.I.) and the calibre of athletes that are coming out of our school system to be honest,” said MacLauchlan. “We are lucky that a lot of our local talent chooses to stay in P.E.I., and we’re lucky that we have a good system that feeds into the university right now.”Article contentPlayoff gamesArticle contentThe Panthers, who will host the Field Hockey Canada U Sports national invitational championship in Charlottetown from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, scored four first-half goals in defeating the Acadia Axewomen 4-0 in a semifinal game, before shutting out the Dalhousie Tigers 3-0 in the final.Article content“Our games have always been close with Dalhousie,” said MacLauchlan. “They play a very similar style to us.Article content“We had tied them in our most recent matchup two weeks ago, 1-1. We knew it was going to be a good game.”Article contentMacLauchlan said the Panthers executed their game plan well and won individual battles and 50-50 balls.Article content“(The Panthers) were the team that kind of, in my eyes, that wanted it more, and that was really the difference,” said MacLauchlan.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentAgainst Dalhousie, Carly Acorn, Kali Smith and player-of-the-year Kayla Batchilder scored for the Panthers.Article contentAcorn, Katie-Grace Noye, Olivia Lea and Jenaya Ross contributed goals for UPEI in the championship game.Article contentGoaltenders Alexis Marshall (Acadia game) and Brea Matthews (Dalhousie game) recorded the shutouts.Article content“We’re a team that really focusses and does best with our passing and team effort,” said Lawlor. “We did really good connecting the ball (Oct. 19), making some good plays, and everyone stepped up and played a role, especially our two young goalies. They’re both rookies and they both had a really good weekend.”Article contentDefensive playArticle contentMacLauchlan praised the Panthers’ defensive play in the playoffs, noting UPEI only allowed one goal all season.Article content“We valued the possession of the ball (Oct. 19) and we didn’t give up a lot of opportunities” said MacLauchlan. “I know it’s a testament as well to our full team effort.”

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