Panthers finish 3-3 for first time since 2011 with dominant win over Saint Mary’s

By Thomas Becker

UPEI's women's rugby team had one goal at the start of the season. After Saturday afternoon's convincing 63-5 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies, they accomplished it as they finished the regular season 3-3. 

"It feels incredible," said Panthers head coach James Voye. "Our goal was to at the very least finish 3-3. At some point you have to start winning games to make some noise in the conference and by finishing 3-3, we've shown that we're a program on the rise." 

The last time the Panthers played the Huskies (0-6), Voye felt his team didn't execute the game plan as effectively as he would've liked despite the 32-0 win. But Saturday's match was a different story.

UPEI got on the scoreboard just two minutes in when a couple of quick offloads from Brinten Comeau and Julia Freeburn led to a 25-yard run from Kendal Brooks up the left side. 

In recent weeks, the Panthers have worked on getting the ball to the outside lanes quickly and efficiently and it paid off in this game. A skip pass to Brooks in the 15th minute led to a clear path to the try zone, as the home team extended their lead to 10-0. 

Moments later, Comeau set up MacKenzie Hale for a long run, as she darted 35 yards for her first of three trys on the afternoon. 

Comeau added one of her own 30 minutes into the game when she powered her way through the final yards for the hard-earned score. Emma MacLean did the same six minutes later to push the Panthers' lead to 27-0.

With time winding down in the half, the Panthers added two more tries to make it 39-0. First, Annika Wadlegger showed off her strength, as she dragged a few defenders past the try line. That was followed up with a heads-up play from Agustina Cohen, who picked up the loose ball and went the final 10 yards for the score.

Julia Freeburn got in on the action 13 minutes into the second half when Mia Fradsham passed it out from a ruck to the sophomore, who dodged a defender and ran it 20 yards for the try.

Six minutes later, Tessa Hood freed herself from a tackler and went 20 yards for UPEI's ninth try of the game, as they extended their lead 53-0.

After Hale and Saint Mary's Maggie MacPhee traded scores, the Panthers attacked the outside lanes again where they found more success, as Hale took a pass from Freeburn and went 40 yards for her third try. 

After the game, Hale talked about the team's ability to make adjustments each week and how it paved the way to a successful season.

"I think we did an excellent job cleaning up the ball from the last time we played them," Hale said. "Today we showed that we're in it to win just as much as any team, and I think the score reflects that." 

Now we wait to see if the next set of adjustments Voye conjures up will work against the St. FX X-Women in the semifinals next weekend. 

"We need to take it day-by-day this week at practice and work on the things we know we need to work on: ball security, being there for each other in the rucks, and using our speed," Hale said. "If we do that, I think we have a very good chance."

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan