Early tests
Women’s Panthers start year with last season’s finalists
There’s no easing into the regular season for the UPEI Panthers’ women’s soccer team.
It opens play today at 1:15 p.m. against the St. FX X-Women in Antigonish, N.S., before playing the Cape Breton Capers Sunday at 3 p.m. in Sydney, N.S. The Capers defeated the X-Women 1-0 to win the 2018 Atlantic University Sport championship. UPEI went 3-6-3 to finish seventh in the 10-team conference and miss the playoffs.
“We’re going into the dragon’s den right off the get-go,” said first-year Panthers’ head coach Glen Miller.
Today’s game was pushed ahead due to the pending weekend storm. While it will alter the initial plan, Miller said he just wants his team to compete hard and enjoy the moment.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” said Miller, a former conference MVP and UPEI Sports Hall of Fame member. “Like I always try to remind these players, it’s such a fun league to play in. I am just hoping everyone always keeps taking it as an honour and privilege to be there, to be grateful they get to play in this league and to go and give their all every time they’re out there.”
As Miller began implementing his style of play, he has been pleased with the buy-in from his players.
“I think in time it’s going to pay some big dividends, but it’s a process,” he said.
He sees quality athletes in each section of the field and said they have two great leaders to learn from. Danielle Younker and Jenn Balderston are cousins and cocaptains, who will both play centre back this season.
“They’re phenomenal players to model one’s self after,” Miller said, noting they have great attitudes and strong work ethics.
Miller coached both when they played under-13 and then at club nationals. He also coached Younker in high school.
“Those two kids have a very high soccer acumen,” he said. “Those people that have great attitudes you can really take them high up the mountain.”
The Panthers are a bit banged up with a handful of players in physiotherapy Thursday. Their status was not available before deadline. Most were tweaks or strains but playing early in the season could risk longer-term issues as opposed to waiting for the injury to fully heal.
Centre back Jenna Mae Ellsworth is not with the soccer team this season, as she is concentrating on basketball.
Cape Breton led the pre-season coaches’ poll while St. FX was fourth and UPEI eighth.