sports Notes by Steve McManus

Men's Hockey Panthers Claw Back To Even

The season was in jeop- ardy for the panthers hockey sea- son this weekend as the boys went into play with a dismal 2-4 record. Fortunately, the panthers were able to finish the weekend off with two big victories against Acadia and Dalhousie, two teams that defeated them the week before.

Friday, the boys went head to head with the Axemen of Acadia looking for redemption from the 7-3 pounding they were handed just five days before. The panthers were able to sneak out a 5-4 win at the Civic Center, with two huge goals from the crafty center John Kozoriz. The panthers were able to keep their home unbeaten streak alive and test the ice for their matchup Saturday night against Dalhousie.

The following day the panthers offence did not disappoint

as they took their second home win »

in as many days defeating the Tigers 6-4 in a high paced, physi- cal game. Jason Flick got his revenge as the Tigers had defeated our Panthers in their last meeting 3-2.

The two important wins put UPEI back to the five hundred mark and they now sit only one point out of third place and only two points behind StFX for second in the division. The guys have three important games this week against StFX, UNB, and SMU, which could boost them into first place contention. However, those three opponents currently occupy the top three spots in the standings.

Upcoming Games Include:

Opponent Date Time

vs SFX Tue,Nov llth 7:00 vs UNB _ Sat, Nov 15th 7:00 at SMU Sun, Nov 16th 5:00 at UDM_ Wed, Nov 19th 7:30 at UNB-~ Sat, Nov 22nd __—7:00

Ladies Hockey Panthers Drop Openers

So far this season hasn't gone the way head coach Don MacFadyen had hoped. The girls began their season by taking one on the chin from StFX, who pul- verized the Panthers 9-0. However, the Xavier women's hockey pro- gram has been the powerhouses in the Atlantic division capturing 4 of the last five AUS Championships. The girls did what they could but were caught on their heals, and were outscored, outshot, and out- matched.

Last Friday, the girls travelled to Moncton to tangle with the Blue Eagles. Although they failed to win the girls put forth a great effort but ended up on the short end of a 2-1 score.

Moncton is a team UPEI will need to beat if they wish to advance to the playoffs. Giving their division rivals their first win of the season may hurt the lady panthers down the road but they must focus the season one game at a time. This weekend the girls will hit the road for two games against St. Thomas on Saturday, and Mount Allison on Sunday. Two teams who have posted only one win combined in their first five games of the season. If the pan- thers can take these two games they would crawl back to an even 2-2 record.

Upcoming Games Include:

Opponent Date Time atSTU Sat, Nov 15th 3:00 at MTA Sun, Nov 16th ‘1:00 at SMU Sat, Nov 22nd = 2:00 vs MTA _ Sat, Nov 29th 2:00 vs UNB_ Sun, Nov 30th 6:00

Panthers Volleyball Off to

Respectable Start

This season the girls find themselves around the middle of the pack with a 2-3 record, which lands them in a four way tie for fourth place in the Atlantic division. Last week the girls split their games by defeating StFX 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 21-25, 25-18) and dropping their match against UCCB 3-2 (25-12, 19-25, 25-21, 23-25, 17-15).

Again this weekend the girls managed to split matches los- ing to UDM in straight sets (25-20,

'25-11, 25-20) and defeated the

defending AUS Champion Dalhousie Tigers in convincing fashion 3-1 at the UPEI Sports Center on Sunday. Jackie Ellsworth picked up player of the game hon- ors for her fine defensive play.

The panthers will have a week off to hone their skills as they will travel to Saint Mary's on Saturday for their only game this week. The undefeated Huskies will make the girls earn their victory if they are able to come out on top.

Upcoming Games Include:

Opponent Date Time

at SMU_ Sat, Nov 22nd _~—2:00 vs UNB_ Sun, Nov 30th 6:00 at UNB — Sun, Jan 11th 2:00 vs SMU | Sat, Jan 17th 3:00 at SFX Sat, Jan 24th 4:00

Players of the Week

Female

Jemifer Pickering ~

As an important part to the girls volleyball teem, Jemifer will have to continue the dominant

play which she has illustrated flawlessly in her first three years cn the team. She is a powerful player cn the ball as well as taxh defensive player who in 60 games last season managed to rack up an impressive 169 digs. Jemifer isa fourth year student here at UPEI and will be given a few more lead- ership roles that she will have to succeed at if the girls are qoirg to

Male John Kozoriz

This weeks male athlete of the week goes to John Kozoriz, who scored two goals, inching this past weekend to help the pan- thers hockey team in an undefeat - ed weekend of play. John has played well all seasm, creating scoring gqgportunities, and playing well cn the pealty kills. ‘his psy- chology major is a key face-off man for the panthers ad in his second year at UPEI, has a bright future as the panthers offensive threat in years to cme.

UPE!I Cadre November 10 2003 page 18