2022 Women’s Rugby Panthers best described as team of destiny after claiming first AUS championship in program history

By Thomas Becker

From the start of the season, there was something special about the UPEI Women's Rugby team. Each week, they defied the odds and consistently built off one historic moment after another. 

Sure, the 2022 Panthers can be described as a historic team, but maybe they're more than that. Perhaps they're better described as a team of destiny. A combination of talent, maturity, and belief in each other aligned perfectly and paved the way to their greatest season. And it almost didn't happen. 

During the 2021 offseason, many of the team's veteran players were coming off a strong, albeit surprising, season and were prepared to end their UPEI careers on a high, knowing they accomplished more than most Panther teams. But something called them back. They believed this group could achieve more, and the pieces started to fall into place. Even though they had already graduated, players like Nicole Davies, Brinten Comeau, Francis MacWilliam and Sophie Carragher decided to return for one more season. It wasn't a decision they made lightly or together, but one they're glad they made. 

"The group of people on this team was a huge reason why I came back," Carragher said. "It's a huge commitment to play this sport, and I think everyone was more dialled in than ever. Nicole and Brinten were coming back, and I just knew that if we had a chance at a banner, it would be this year."

This group came together quickly as they rolled through the St. FX X-Women and Acadia Axewomen convincingly in the first two weekends. The hype was real. The Panthers climbed the U SPORTS rankings higher than they ever have, but then reality set in with the X-Women and Axewomen returning the favour in the following weeks. After that, the same questions started to arise: are the Panthers good enough to compete with the elite? They would answer that in a semifinal match against St. FX on Oct. 20 when they narrowly took down their rival 14-12, setting up a title match against Acadia in hostile territory.

"We knew what was at stake and I think we wanted it more," MacWilliam said. "We were faster. We were tackling harder and we had our sight set on that championship."

Much like their semifinal match, the opposition scored first, with Acadia's Katya Dondi earning the try just seven minutes in. In the past, many of these Panthers watched helplessly as early deficits grew into unmanageable outcomes. But this year's team was different. No panic. Just focus.

The Panthers responded 12 minutes later when Davies took it upon herself, plowing her way in for UPEI's first of five tries. They struck again in the 26th minute when Carla Stewart stretched out for the try that would give UPEI their first game lead.

With less than seven minutes remaining in the half, Acadia's Sara Grant tied the game at 12 apiece heading into the break.

With a championship in their sight, the Panthers took over in the second half. Comeau scored the first of 21 unanswered points on a maul that eventually had the fourth-year flanker cross the try line.

UPEI's physical dominance continued into the later stages of the second half. In the 65th minute, MacWilliam saw a hole in the Acadia defence and shot the gap for the Panther's fourth try.

Mia Fradsham put the game away in the 76th minute when she gathered her own ball that she cleared with a kick before sprinting the final 65 yards for the 33-12 lead, as players and fans alike felt those winning vibes. The UPEI Panthers were about to become AUS champions for the first time.

"So many things were running through my head. Shock. Surprise. Absolute pride for my team and everyone who came before us," described Davies when she heard the final whistle blow.

After the game, Comeau reflected on the emotional win.

"I'm so proud of each and every one of the girls on the team. They really put their bodies on the line, and as a leader, I couldn't be more proud," Comeau said. "I'm excited to see where this program goes from here."

When head coach James Voye accepted the promotion in 2021, he knew this group had the potential to do something special and he couldn't be happier to be part of it. 

"This is a goal we set for ourselves. Some teams aren't always lucky enough to achieve them, but they walked into a hostile environment, played a really good game and came out as AUS champions for the first time ever.

"It's amazing. It's special. To win the first AUS championship is surreal, and I'm sure when I sit on the bus and have a chance to reflect, maybe the tears will come after that."

YOUR 2022 @AUS_SUA CHAMPIONS!��

THE UPEI PANTHERS!!!��#GoPanthersGo | #Rugby | #Champions pic.twitter.com/IWbgQWvwo0

— UPEI Panthers (@UPEIPanthers) October 26, 2022

PHOTOS BY: Peter Oleskevich