By Reegan MacAulay
Welcome to October! The most crucial time of the season for Holland Hurricanes fall teams is quickly approaching as several teams enter their penultimate weekend of the regular season and one wraps up their regular season run.
Here’s what to expect between Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA), Atlantic Collegiate Baseball Association (ACBA), and Atlantic Football League (AFL) competition between Saturday, Oct. 5 and Sunday, Oct. 6.
Women’s Soccer
The women’s soccer Hurricanes might have the best momentum out of any fall team going into October as they exit a weekend with big 5-1 and 3-1 wins which put them into second place in the conference. Although both wins came against the conference’s lowest seeded teams, the points were still extremely valuable.
The squad will face slightly stronger teams this weekend, which is the penultimate one of the season, and it features a road trip to New Brunswick.
Saturday’s opponent is the 2-3-3 St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies, who experienced a loss and a draw last weekend and are fifth in the conference. The two teams last played each other on Sunday, Sept. 15, with Holland losing 3-2 at home. Game time is at 1 p.m. at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall.
Sunday’s opponent is the 3-2-3 University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ) Seawolves, who are also coming off a draw and a loss last weekend and are fourth in the conference. The two teams last played each other on Saturday, Sept. 14, with the result being a 1-1 draw. Game time is at 1 p.m. Both matches will be available to watch live at acaa.tv.
Keep an eye out for the following players:
- Rookie midfielder Karissa George (New Glasgow, N.S.) - most recent Hurricanes Female Athlete of the Week, four goals in two games last weekend.
- Rookie forward Rachel McNutt (Oxford, N.S.) - scored her first goal of the season last weekend.
- Fourth-year midfielder Hayden Chaisson (St. Louis, P.E.I.) - scored two goals last weekend.
- Second-year goaltender Allison Rutt (Sheffield Mines, N.S.) - earned both wins for Holland last weekend and allowed just two goals against.
Connect with the women’s soccer ‘Canes at www.x.com/caneswsoccer and www.instagram.com/caneswsoccer.
Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer Hurricanes picked themselves back up after a four-game stretch of three losses and a draw, and look to carry the momentum into the final stretch of the season.
Currently tied for fourth in the conference with Crandall, this final stretch is going to be critical for the young squad if they hope to qualify for the playoffs, and it starts with a trip to New Brunswick alongside the women.
Saturday’s match is against the 7-0-1 STU Tommies, who are on a whopping seven-game winning streak and are pioneering the conference in the top spot. The two teams last played each other on Sunday, Sept. 15, with Holland suffering their worst loss in years by a score of 9-0. Game time is at 3:15 p.m.
Sunday’s match is against the 4-3-1 UNBSJ Seawolves, who have had an up-and-down season but most recently picked up a 2-0 win against MSVU. The Seawolves and ‘Canes last played each other on Saturday, Sept. 14, with Holland being shut out 4-0. Game time is at 3:15 p.m. Both matches can be viewed live this weekend on acaa.tv.
Keep an eye out for the following players:
- Rookie forward Chad McNally (Truro, N.S.) - most recent ACAA Male Athlete of the Week and Hurricanes Male Athlete of the Week after scoring three goals in two games last weekend.
- Second-year forward Vinicius Boyd (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) - multiple shots across both games last weekend and continues to be a fiery force on the field.
- Rookie goalkeeper Nolan Kowal (Airdrie, Alberta) - claimed a win and a draaw for Holland last weekend.
Connect with the men’s soccer ‘Canest at www.x.com/canesmsoccer and www.instagram.com/canesmsoccer.
Women’s Rugby
The women’s rugby Hurricanes have a rematch for the ages on Sunday after a disappointing 65-5 loss last weekend, which caused them to lose the conference lead and drop to 2-1.
This Sunday, the undefeated, 3-0 University of New Brunswick (UNB) Reds come to Charlottetown hoping to extend their conference lead. The match will be the second and final one between the two teams this season and it’s also Holland’s last home game before the playoffs, so it may very well be the most important one of them all.
Second-year fullback Ella McLean (Quispamsis, N.B.) was the bright spot for the squad in last Sunday’s loss and will look to get her teammates back up and going for the rematch in front of the home crowd.
Game time is at 2 p.m. at Co-Op Field in Charlottetown.
Connect with the women’s rugby ‘Canes at www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanesrugby.
Cross Country Running
The women’s and men’s cross-country running Hurricanes enter their penultimate run of the season this Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Dalhousie campus in Truro, N.S.
The momentum is strong as the top finishes for individual women runners and for team men runners both improved last Saturday, with Shea Carefoot finishing 13th for the women and the men’s team finishing third.
The women are scheduled to run at 1 p.m. while the men go at 2 p.m.
The Hurricanes are preparing to host the 2024 ACAA Championships at the Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park in Brookvale, PEI, on October 26.
Connect with the cross country running ‘Canes at www.instagram.com/holland_hurricanesxc.
Football
The 2-1 football Hurricanes seek one last salute to their fans in the regular season with their final home game against the winless, 0-3 Saint John Falcons at the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place in Charlottetown on Sunday.
It’s set to be an interesting rematch after Holland defeated Saint John 43-10 on Saturday, Sept. 21 on the road. A win for the ‘Canes would put them in a tie with the undefeated, 3-0 Dalhousie Tigers for the AFL lead while a win for the Falcons would tie them with the 1-2 UNB Reds for third.
Game time is at 1 p.m. Watch the game live at www.youtube.com/@gocanesgo
Keep an eye out for the following players:
- Rookie running back Pierce Saunders (St. Patricks, P.E.I.) - most recent Hurricanes Football Player of the Week, scored a touchdown in the team’s win against Saint John on Sept. 21.
- Second-year receiver Wolf Sym (Tillsonburg, Ontario) has been playing strong as of late, scoring multiple times last Saturday on the road.
- Fourth-year quarterback Hunter Prus (Bedeque, P.E.I.) has only gained confidence through the opening three weeks of play, leading the Hurricanes offence.
Connect with the football ‘Canes at www.facebook.com/canesmfootball, www.x.com/canesmfootball and www.instagram.com/canesmfootball.
Baseball
The league-leading baseball Hurricanes, who are on a four-game winning streak, conclude their 2024 ACBA regular season this weekend and look to secure the top spot in the league for the first time since 2022. The weekend includes the team’s final home-game doubleheader on Saturday and final away-game doubleheader on Sunday.
On Saturday, Holland welcomes the 7-5 Acadia Axemen to Victoria Park in Charlottetown for the second and final doubleheader between the two teams. Acadia had a wonky last weekend, losing 5-3 and winning 3-2 against the UNB Reds and losing 13-0 and winning 4-1 against the Dalhousie Tigers. The last time Holland and Acadia played each other was on Saturday, Sept. 21, with Holland winning 3-0 and losing 5-3. Game times have been adjusted to start at 10am and 12:30pm with the threat of rain in the forecast.
On Sunday, the ‘Canes head to Halifax, N.S. to take on the 3-11 Dalhousie Tigers for the second and final doubleheader between the two teams. Dalhousie is on a three-game losing streak, with the two most recent games being against Holland and both being extremely close matchups (7-6 and 8-6 wins for Holland). Game times are at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Keep an eye out for the following players who heavily contributed to Holland’s four wins last weekend:
- Rookie pitcher/first baseman Alex Hache (Ottawa, Ontario) and second basemen/pitcher Cayle Coffin (Pisquid, P.E.I.).
- Rookie pitcher Sam Murnaghan (Stratford, P.E.I.).
- Rookie outfielders Simon Dubois (Stittsville, Ontario) and Jacob Steeves (Moncton, N.B.).
- Third-year catcher Duncan Pickets (Kensington, P.E.I.) - the most recent Hurricanes Baseball Player of the Week.
- Third-year catcher Sam Worth (Stratford, P.E.I.).
- Fourth-year shortstop Dylan Worth (Charlottetown, P.E.I.).
Connect with the baseball ‘Canes at www.x.com/hcanesbaseball and www.instagram.com/hollandcanesbaseball.
Connect with the Holland Hurricanes at www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes,www.x.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.
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