Panthers hit road for two big games in women’s soccer

UPEI team is locked in a battle for first place in the Atlantic conference standings

The UPEI Panthers are on the road for two games this weekend as the push for playoff positions in Atlantic University Sport women’s soccer begins in earnest.

The Panthers ( 5- 1- 2) are tied with Cape Breton ( 5- 02) for first place with the Capers having a game in hand.

The Panthers are in Sackville, N. B., to play an improved Mount Allison Mounties team.

The Mounties ( 3- 3- 1) are currently in fourth place and are unbeaten at home this season.

Saturday, the Panthers are in Halifax to play the third- place Dalhousie Tigers ( 5- 2- 1).

“These are two good teams, playing at home with a lot on the line” said UPEI head coach Mike Redmond. “We need to be ready, mentally and physically.”

Goals are likely to be at a premium today as the two low scoring and defensively strong teams battle on the natural grass.

Mount Alison is one of only two universities not to make the move to artificial turf on its field.

The defending AUS champion Tigers are fresh of an impressive 3- 0 win over the St. Mary’s Huskies on Wednesday.

Winning Saturday’s game will go a long way in earning a first- round bye in the playoffs for either the Tigers or the Panthers.

The Tigers lead the AUS in scoring, averaging nearly 2.5 goals per game.

Eight of the conference’s 10 teams, including UPEI, are averaging less than a goal a game.

The Panthers unusually healthy for this time of year with everyone available to play.

UPEI has been secondbest on too many one- onone battles this season, an area where the coaching staff is looking to improve.

The UPEI men’s team ( 51- 2) is also at Mount Allison ( 1- 6- 0) today and Dalhousie ( 2- 4- 2) on Saturday.