Panthers advance to playoffs with 47-26 win over Huskies

HALIFAX, NS—The UPEI Panthers finished off their Atlantic University Sport women's rugby regular season with a 47-26 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies on Friday night at Huskies Stadium in Halifax.

The final match of the season marker senior night for the Huskies, with eight graduating seniors – Lacey Bellefontaine, Mikayla Brown, Jill Daniels, Devyn Di Nardo, Katherine Fairbrother, Molly MacKinnon, Lauren Maye and Lauren Young – being honoured before their final match at Huskies Stadium.

It was a defensive battle early on as both teams jostled for field position and were able to make tough defensive stops. UPEI would open the scoring in the 22nd minute with prop Emily Duffy (Saint John, NB) taking the ball from 11 yards out and being able to power through Huskies defenders for the try, with Charlotte Branchflower (Halifax, NS) able to score the conversion to put the Panthers ahead 7-0.

Duffy would add to the lead 15 minutes later, scoring her second try of the match with another conversion from Branchflower extending the lead to 14-0.

UPEI scored two more tries before the half, from fullback Ria Johnston (Charlottetown, PEI) and prop Olivia McLeod (Charlottetown, PEI), and took a 26-0 lead into half time.

The Panthers opened the second half with Duffy's third try of the match, with another Branchflower conversion extending the lead to 33-0.

Saint Mary's cut into the lead moments later, with senior fly half Lauren Maye (Lower Sackville, NS) able to sneak in through a crowd. Maye hit the conversion to cut the score to 33-7. 

UPEI scored two more tries from flanker Emma MacLean (Cole Harbour, NS) and Duffy's fourth try of the day, extending the lead to 47-7.

But the Huskies weren't done, as they were able to score three more tries before the night was over. After being held up on the goal line twice, persistence paid off for senior centre Mikayla Brown (Fall River, NS), scoring the try, with Sophie Van Berkel (Dartmouth, NS) hitting the conversion to cut the score to 47-14.

Next up was first year prop Pearce Batchilder (Prospect Village, NS), who was able to plunge past the try line to cut the score to 47-19.

In the dying moments of regulation, Lauren Maye broke out on a big run, which was finished off by Sophie Van Berkel and a Maye conversion, cutting the lead to 47-26 which would remain the final score.

Emily Duffy was named Player of the Game for UPEI, while Lauren Maye was named Player of the Game for the Huskies on her senior night.

The Panthers (2-4) advance to the AUS Playoffs, while the Huskies (0-6) end their 2024 season.

With tonight's win, we're officially IN! Next up...PLAYOFFS!��#GoPanthersGo | #Rugby | #Clinched pic.twitter.com/KYExH8BF7m

— UPEI Panthers (@UPEIPanthers) October 12, 2024