Home turf, higher stakes: UPEI Field Hockey Panthers chase national glory

That challenge will take on added weight this fall when UPEI hosts its first Field Hockey Canada U SPORTS Invitational Championship in program history. For a team that has been building toward this moment, the opportunity is as big as the spotlight.

 

Head coach Lacey MacLauchlan knows the magnitude of what's ahead but is urging her players to keep perspective.

 

"We're focusing on the opportunity in front of us and controlling what we can both individually and as a group," she said. "It's an exciting time, but our best chance at success comes from staying grounded in our process."

 

UPEI made its national championship debut last season, and while the Panthers came up short, the experience was invaluable. Instead of being discouraged, the group left with a sense of motivation to elevate their game to the next level.

 

"We had a respectable showing last year, and we're going to continue to build on the experience we've gained," MacLauchlan explained. "That opportunity showed us what the best in the country look like, and it gave us a clearer picture of what we need to do to close the gap."

 

That exposure has already shifted the team's mindset. Winning AUFH titles is still an expectation, but it is no longer the finish line.

 

"Our experience at nationals last year has kept the group motivated to improve and hold one another to a higher standard," MacLauchlan said. "We're no longer just focused on success in the Atlantic; we're pushing ourselves to achieve it on the national stage as well."

 

This year's Panthers feature proven game-changers who embody the team's speed, skill, and competitive edge. Livi Lawlor, last season's AUFH Most Valuable Player and a U SPORTS All-Canadian, anchors the midfield with her vision, stamina, and leadership.

 

Joining Lawlor in the midfield is veteran Kali Smith. An AUFH All-Star, she is equally effective, disrupting opposing attacks and jumpstarting UPEI's transition game. Her versatility makes her a cornerstone of the Panthers' structure in both directions.

 

Up front, Kayla Batchilder is the finisher every team dreams of. The AUFH All-Star and U SPORTS All-Canadian led the league in scoring as a rookie and returns as UPEI's most dangerous attacking weapon. Her knack for finding the net will once again be central to the Panthers' offensive identity.

 

Together, these three form the backbone of a roster that blends veteran leadership with promising young talent. Surrounding them is a deep and balanced lineup. In goal, Alexis Marshall and Bria Matthews provide reliability, while the defence is anchored by Charlotte Thompson, Katie Grace Noye, Ella MacDougall, Sophie Crabbe, and Leah MacPhail.

 

The midfield is strengthened by Miah Lawlor, Sarah Peters, Olivia Lea, and Molly MacNeill, who bring energy and flexibility around the core trio. Up front, Jenaya Ross, Carly Acorn, Melia Mason, and Rachael Campbell add speed and secondary scoring options to support Batchilder's finishing touch.

For veterans, hosting nationals is about more than competition—it's about legacy and pride.

 

"As a fourth-year player, I couldn't ask for a better way to finish than hosting nationals on our home turf," Lawlor said. "With such a short season, we don't get many games, especially at home, so this is a rare chance for our family and friends to see us in some of the biggest games we'll ever play. Having them there will give us that extra boost of energy we need to find success."

 

This year holds special meaning for Lawlor, who will line up alongside her younger sister, Miah, for the first time.

 

"This year is especially meaningful because my sister joined the team," she said. "Getting the chance to play alongside her for the first time, in front of our family, and to share the experience of nationals at home feels like the perfect way to close out my field hockey career."

 

 

As the season unfolds, UPEI's mission is twofold: extend its run of dominance in the AUFH and prove it can translate that success nationally. The players know the spotlight will be brighter than ever, but they also know this is exactly the kind of moment they've been building toward.

 

Hosting the national championship is both an honour and a challenge. For the Panthers, it's also an opportunity, one they believe they're ready to seize.

 

UPEI Women's Field Hockey kicks off their season on Saturday, September 13, with two games against the UNB Reds in Fredericton, New Brunswick.