Panthers defeat Huskies 40 - 7 in Halifax

HALIFAX, NS—The UPEI Panthers defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 40-7 on Sunday afternoon at Huskies Stadium in Halifax.

The Huskies home-opener, which was postponed from Saturday to Sunday due to Hurricane Lee, saw the home team hit the scoreboard first. Huskies prop Devyn Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) punched in a try just over five minutes into action, with centre Lauryn Maye (Lower Sackville,NS), hitting the conversion to put the home team up 7-0.

But the Panthers persistent attack saw them respond just under 10 minutes later, as flanker Gracie McQuaid (Charlottetown, PEI) finished off a nice drive with the try, with fullback Charlotte Branchflower (Halifax, NS) hitting the conversion to tie the match at 7-7.

The two teams battled and exchanged possession several times over the next 20 minutes, but the Panthers took the lead on a try by flanker Emma MacLean (Cole Harbour, NS) in the 34th minute. Branchflower hit the conversion once again, and the Panthers would take a 14-7 lead into the half.

UPEI took control in the second half, scoring four unanswered tries over the second half — scored by Emma MacLean, Mia Fradshaw, Paige MacLean and Mackenzie Stewart, with Branchflower hitting three of four conversions.

The Panthers would win by a final score of 40-7, with flanker Emma MacLean being named Player of the Game for UPEI, while Huskies winger Elliana Porter (Bridgewater, NS) was named Player of the Game for Saint Mary's.

The Panthers are back at home next weekend, taking on the St. FX X-Women (1-0) on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m.

The Huskies will also be on home turf next weekend, taking on the Acadia Axewomen (0-1) on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m.

RECAP COURTESY: SMU Huskies Athletics / PHOTOS BY: Mona Ghiz