69传媒

With a fresh start and outlook, the 69传媒Panthers are looking ahead to bigger and better things in 2023.

It鈥檚 typically an annual tradition seeing the Panthers celebrate a postseason berth, but 2022 was an outlier, as the team finished the year with a 1-9-2 record and missed the playoffs for only the third time in a decade.

For players like Jonathan MacKenzie, who already experienced the thrill of playoff soccer, the drive to get back there and compete for a championship is a huge motivator.

鈥淚t鈥檚 unfortunate we were unable to secure a playoff spot, but it didn't discourage us leading up to this season,鈥� MacKenzie said. 鈥淲ith a positive mindset and attitude, it only motivated us to work harder this offseason and continue to learn.鈥�

The biggest takeaway from the 2022 season was the realization that the league is challenging and requires a lot of discipline to get the desired results.

鈥淚 think we realized that every point matters, and we need to take it one game, one half at a time. We鈥檙e a strong team with a ton of talent, but now we need to show it on the field.鈥�

Panthers head coach Lewis Page is confident his team will rise in the standings and push for a playoff spot because this core group has done it before, and the talent is undeniable.

The defence is expected to be UPEI鈥檚 strength once again, as Page鈥檚 methodical tactical approach should keep games close. The trio of MacKenzie, Riad Jaha, and Max VanWiechen will get the bulk of the minutes along the back line, while Page still explores his options for the fourth defender now that former captain Colin Curran has moved on after graduation. Expect rookies Noah Killorn and Landon Perry, and sophomore Lachlan MacEachern to factor into the equation throughout the season. Meanwhile, fourth-year goalkeeper Evan Couturier looks to have the inside track as the opening day starter, while Isaac Wolters will serve as the backup.

鈥淲e鈥檙e confident in our defence and their ability to hold teams down,鈥� Page said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e returning a veteran back line that was stellar last year and gave our team a chance to win each time.鈥�

The biggest question heading into 2023: where will the goals come from?

鈥淲e鈥檙e a quick and aggressive team that can adapt on the fly,鈥� Page said. 鈥淭he goals will have to come from several players, which will make us difficult to play against.鈥�

Kasper Lasia may be the key to unlocking the Panthers鈥� scoring potential, as the skilled third-year central midfielder will be orchestrating the offensive attack from the pivotal position. Since joining the Panthers in 2020, Lasia has been one of the best midfielders in Atlantic University Sport (AUS), and this year should be no different, as he鈥檒l once again be in the conversation for his first all-star selection.

鈥淭his year, we have a completely different mindset going forward with the ball. We are not relying on set pieces to score goals. Instead, we are more focused on maintaining possession and creating chances through open play,鈥� Lasia said.

Joining Lasia in the midfield will be rookie Emile Abele and versatile veteran Cohen Reddick-Stevens. Abele joins the Panthers eager to play after not getting much playing time with his previous team at the University of Northern British Columbia, while Stevens returns after two years away from the program. Francisco Sanchez, Jeremiah Osorio, and Jonah Bartlett will add plenty of depth to the position.

Up front, the Panthers will feature a speedy group consisting of all-star striker Nathan Chow, last year鈥檚 leading scorer Jacob Tweel, and Will Campbell. Salem Farag should also help in the scoring department, while William Wilton and Caleb Gagne give Page more options.

鈥淟ast season lit a fire underneath us and it showed in the offseason as there鈥檚 has been a huge improvement,鈥� MacKenzie said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a more confident group and I believe we have the team to get us back in the playoffs.鈥�