Cheers! To Sports Notes by Steve McManus

I couldn't believe it either, but our women's hockey team actually won their first game of the season Sunday night at the new MacLauchlan Arena against Moncton, 4-3 in overtime. Before the overtime frame the girls were astatic they had earned their first point of the long sea- son. But Penny Walsh had bigger things on her mind as she iced the game for the panthers in the dying seconds of the overtime period. This win was a relief for the girls as they had dropped their previous two games 12-0, and 12-1.

This goal brought back memories of the '72 Summit Series between Canada and Russia as the panthers bench exploded with the victory. It was as if these girls had won the Stanley Cup as they piled on the ice, but wh o can blame them for celebrating. The win improves the girls record to 1-11 with two games remaining in the schedule. With the playoffs out of reach, the girls will look to finish off the season strong against St. Thomas at home this Saturday, and Acadi a the following week- end.

Upcoming Games: vs STU _ Sat, Feb 7th 3:00 at ACA Sat, Feb 14th 1:00

Panthers Basketball Lose Tight Game Against #3 Ranked St. FX —

It was a rematch of last years AUS championship game against the X-men, and it was to be a chance for the panthers men's basketball to show they belonged with the best teams in the country. The high powered o ffence of the St. FX X-men proved too much for the panthers as they dropped the contest 81- da

The panthers looked sharp in the first quarter but the patience of the countries third ranked team came through as St. FX lead at the break 45-43. The panthers battled back in the fourth quarter led by Tyler Wood (19 pts.) and Mike Kierstead (19 pts.) to tie it up at 77 with only minutes to go. UPEI had their chances late in the game but a few missed opportunities from ~ the charity strip was the differ- ence.

Doug McKinney had a huge game off the bench as he recorded a double double with 11 boards to match his 11 points.

The panthers have two. huge home games next week as they take on Dalhousie Friday night and Acadia on Saturday night.

Upcoming Games:

From Alexander Keith’s. Those who like it. like it a lot. 3 7

Panthers Win, Panthers Win, Panthers Win

vs DAL Fri, Feb 6th 8:00 vs ACA Sat, Feb 7th 8:00 at SMU Fri, Feb 13th 8:00 at DAL Sun, Feb 15th 3:00 vs MUN Sat, Feb 28th 8:00

Women's Baskeball Panthers Drop Low Scoring Tilt

_ The good news for the panthers in their most recent AUS action was the play of Lindsey Coade (28 pts.) and Katherine Walters (13 pts.) as the two of them combined for 41 points. The bad new however, was that the rest of the team could only manage 7 points. Needless to say the girls dropped their game to St. FX 55-48.

The girls played tough and were able to go into halftime with a slim 27-28 lead. Unfortuneatly, the panthers couldnt hold their lead in the sec- ond half as the X-women slowly slipped away and ultimatly fin- ishing of f the panthers in the end. .

With four very winnable . games coming up for the pan- thers, they will need all the points they can get if they wish to make the playoffs this season. None of Dalhousie, St. Mary's, or Acadia are above the five hun- dred mark this season and the girls should feel confident they — can take all those games.

UPEI Cadre February 4, 2004 page 22

Upcoming Games:

vs DAL Fri, Feb 6th 6:00 vs ACA Sat, Feb 7th 6:00 at SMU Fri, Feb 13th 6:00 at ACA Sun, Feb 15th 1:00 vs MUN Sat, Feb 21st 6:00

Women's Volleyball Split Weekend Matches

Our girls volleyball team split their recent homestand by beat- ing in straight sets 3-0, but losing 3-1 to St. Mary's. This latest action puts the girls record at a respectable 5-7.

The girls looked sharp in the opening game Saturday after- noon against the second best team in their division, by win- ning 25-19. Unfortunately, vol- leyball matches are the best of five and St. Mary's roared back by taking then next three games 25-20, 27-25, 25-19.

In the loss, Val Shannik picked up 6 kills, 3 aces, and 8 digs. Also playing well for the panthers was Jackie Ellsworth as she scooped up 15 digs in the match.

_Upcoming Games:

vs MUN Sat, Feb 7th 3:00 vs MUN Sun, Feb 8th 1:00 at DAL Sat, Feb 14th 1:00 at ACA Sun, Feb 15th 1:00