Top 10 Moments of 2021

We take a look back at the top 10 moments of 2021. Enjoy!

Top 10 Moments of 2021
January 11, 2022

By Thomas Becker

2021 was a thrilling year for each of our programs and we're excited to share the top 10 moments.

10 – PERSONAL BESTS (TRACK & FIELD)

The track and field team looks to make significant strides this season, which hopefully yields more medals. Zach Wilson has had a great start to his season, winning three races and setting personal bests in each race. Throwers Malcolm Gilman and Gabby Smith are both potential medalists, while jumper Jeremy Norman adds a new dimension to the ever-growing team. Not to be forgotten is the Bailey (Smith) MacIsaac who decided to return to take another crack at gold.

9 – NOT ONE BUT TWO POINTS AGAINST CAPE BRETON (SOCCER)

Whether we're talking women's or men's soccer, the Cape Breton Capers are elite, one of the best in the country. But on Oct. 3, 2021, both UPEI Panthers teams earned draws against the formidable foe. The women shut them out in a nil-nil tie, as they earned their first point against them since 2013. Later in the afternoon, Samuel Akinsola scored a dramatic late-game goal to tie CBU 1-1.

8 – YOUNG SOCCER TEAM EARNS PLAYOFF SPOT

After a 0-4-1 exhibition record, the men's soccer team looked like they were headed for a lengthy rebuild. While Lewis Page's roster was rebuilt with younger players, the team gelled quickly and exceeded expectations, as they finished the season with a 5-3-4 record and earned a playoff spot as the No. 5 seed.

7 – HOME SWEET HOME: WOMEN'S AND MEN'S HOCKEY TEAMS IMPRESS AT MACLAUCHLAN ARENA

There's something to be said for "home cooking". Both hockey teams have taken care of business in front of home supporters, as they have a combined 14-3-2 record. The women's team owns an 8-1-0 record, with wins coming against the UNB Reds and the country's top-ranked Saint Mary's Huskies. While the men sit at 6-2-2, with wins coming against the St. FX X-Men and the perennial champion UNB Reds. Impressive work from both squads to say the least.

6 – MEN'S BASKETBALL SUCCESS

Is this the season the men's basketball team returns to the postseason? Well, head coach Darrell Glenn has his team playing at a high level, and at the halfway point his players believe they have what it takes to get there. The Panthers currently sit tied for second place with a 5-4 record (14 points) and own a 3-2 record on the road. Not only did they defeat the well-respected Dalhousie Tigers, but they also took down the Acadia Axemen and Saint Mary's Huskies on back-to-back nights in a crucial weekend set.

5 – BROKEN RECORDS

Records are made to be broken and the women's basketball team had two such milestones in 2021. The first came on Oct. 31, when Carolina Del Santo became UPEI's all-time leading rebounder (817 rebounds), surpassing Lindsey Coade's previous mark. Then on Nov. 13, Jenna Mae Ellsworth surpassed Jennifer Johnston to become UPEI's all-time leading scorer with 1,359 points. 

4 – PAIGE CHISHOLM

What a year for cross country runner Paige Chisholm. The fifth-year runner led the Panthers in each race and laid the groundwork for her young teammates and the program in general. In her only season as a Panther, Chisholm finished second at the St. FX Invitational, third at the Acadia Invitational, eighth at the UNB/STU Invitational, and third at the AUS Championship. Chisholm's AUS all-star selection marked just the second time that a UPEI cross country runner earned the honour.

3 – WOMEN'S RUGBY TAKES DOWN GOLIATH

It was just the first game of the season, but it felt like they had just won a championship. Guided by rookie head coach James Voye, the Panthers took a commanding 26-0 lead at halftime against the historically dominant St. FX X-Women before holding on for the 38-31 win. Mia Fradsham, Emily McQuaid, Kristi Stewart, Sophie Carragher, Annika Wadlegger and Brinten Comeau each scored trys in the historic victory. It was the first time the Panthers defeated the X-Women since October 16, 2004 when they took down their rival 15-11.

2 – TOP-10 RECOGNITION (WOMEN'S RUGBY)

When your team is nationally ranked it's a moment that should be celebrated (before going straight to work again). On Oct. 19, UPEI's women's rugby team earned a spot (10th) in the U SPORTS top-10 weekly rankings for the first time in program history. This came days after the team finished the regular season with a 3-3 record, a goal they set out at the beginning of the season.

1 – CANADA'S BEST (WOMEN'S BASKETBALL)

Injury adversity aside, the women's basketball team is enjoying a spectacular season. Since raising the 2019-2020 championship banner on opening night, the Panthers, led by the quartet of Jenna Mae Ellsworth, Carolina Del Santo, Lauren Rainford and Reese Baxendale, have put together a 9-0 record and lead the conference in offensive and defensive efficiency. Because of their exceptional work on the hardwood, Matt Gamblin's team was ranked No. 1 in the country for the first time in program history during the week of Nov. 23.