The UPEI Panthers have their first medal from the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men’s soccer championship.
The Panthers claimed bronze Sunday by defeating the UQAM Citadins 2-1.
“It’s a phenomenal feeling and I am so proud to be a Panther and so proud to be part of the soccer community,” captain Adam Lowther said.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE GAME.
Eight of the Panthers have played together for 14 years.
“It’s pretty incredible,” Cole MacMillan said. “To win it with this group of guys that we’ve come so far with for so long makes it that much more special.”
Dylan Mackenzie scored at 11:45 and set up Jared Murphy about five minutes later to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
Guillaume Rochon scored on a free kick late in the first half, but that was as close as the Citadins would get. Every time they threated to tie it, UPEI keeper Brett MacDonald rose to the occasion, particularly late in the game when he made a couple game-saving stops.
“We weren’t surprised,” MacMillan said. “He’s been behind us for 10 years.”
UPEI went 5-2-6 in the Atlantic University Sport regular season and lost 1-0 to Cape Breton in the semifinal. They were guaranteed a spot in the nationals as the host team.
The players said they proved during the past week they belong and how competitive the CIS is.
“It just shows how far heart and determination can take you. We weren’t the most skilled team here by any means, but I think we wanted it more than anyone,” MacMillan said. “I couldn’t be more proud of these boys.”
As the referee blew the final whistle, the Panthers’ substitutes exploded off the bench and coach Lewis Page hugged his assistants. One by one the players came to say thank you to the staff that stood by them not only this year, but for more than a decade in some cases.
“They’re like family to us,” Lowther said.
Murphy, who was named the Panthers player of the game and a tournament all-star with MacMillan, said it was great to be able to cash a couple of goals for a defence, which played “excellent all year.”
Maxime Leconte was UQAM’s player of the game.
Murphy, Dillon Wight and Logan Dawson all took last year off to retain their final year of eligibility.
“The sacrifices made, when you have a year like this, makes it all worth it. You’re create memories with friends that are going to last a lifetime,” Murphy said with his tears in eyes. “Taking that year off with Dillon and Logan, I think we’d all say we’d take 10 years off to have a weekend like this.”
Assistant coach Dave Snowie said the team was appreciative of the hard work done by the organizing committee under some difficult weather conditions.
“All we had to do is come out and play,” he said.
The Panthers finished tied for third at the nationals in 1983, 1984 and 1985 when there was not a bronze-medal game.
The bar has now been set for future editions of the Panthers.
“Hopefully the younger guys will continue to lead the team to more victories like that,” Murphy said. “We’ll be there supporting them in the future in the stands.”
The UPEI Panthers have their first medal from the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men’s soccer championship.
The Panthers claimed bronze Sunday by defeating the UQAM Citadins 2-1.
“It’s a phenomenal feeling and I am so proud to be a Panther and so proud to be part of the soccer community,” captain Adam Lowther said.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE GAME.
Eight of the Panthers have played together for 14 years.
“It’s pretty incredible,” Cole MacMillan said. “To win it with this group of guys that we’ve come so far with for so long makes it that much more special.”
Dylan Mackenzie scored at 11:45 and set up Jared Murphy about five minutes later to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
Guillaume Rochon scored on a free kick late in the first half, but that was as close as the Citadins would get. Every time they threated to tie it, UPEI keeper Brett MacDonald rose to the occasion, particularly late in the game when he made a couple game-saving stops.
“We weren’t surprised,” MacMillan said. “He’s been behind us for 10 years.”
UPEI went 5-2-6 in the Atlantic University Sport regular season and lost 1-0 to Cape Breton in the semifinal. They were guaranteed a spot in the nationals as the host team.
The players said they proved during the past week they belong and how competitive the CIS is.
“It just shows how far heart and determination can take you. We weren’t the most skilled team here by any means, but I think we wanted it more than anyone,” MacMillan said. “I couldn’t be more proud of these boys.”
As the referee blew the final whistle, the Panthers’ substitutes exploded off the bench and coach Lewis Page hugged his assistants. One by one the players came to say thank you to the staff that stood by them not only this year, but for more than a decade in some cases.
“They’re like family to us,” Lowther said.
Murphy, who was named the Panthers player of the game and a tournament all-star with MacMillan, said it was great to be able to cash a couple of goals for a defence, which played “excellent all year.”
Maxime Leconte was UQAM’s player of the game.
Murphy, Dillon Wight and Logan Dawson all took last year off to retain their final year of eligibility.
“The sacrifices made, when you have a year like this, makes it all worth it. You’re create memories with friends that are going to last a lifetime,” Murphy said with his tears in eyes. “Taking that year off with Dillon and Logan, I think we’d all say we’d take 10 years off to have a weekend like this.”
Assistant coach Dave Snowie said the team was appreciative of the hard work done by the organizing committee under some difficult weather conditions.
“All we had to do is come out and play,” he said.
The Panthers finished tied for third at the nationals in 1983, 1984 and 1985 when there was not a bronze-medal game.
The bar has now been set for future editions of the Panthers.
“Hopefully the younger guys will continue to lead the team to more victories like that,” Murphy said. “We’ll be there supporting them in the future in the stands.”
