By Reegan MacAulay
The Holland College Hurricanes have a busy weekend ahead to begin October.
From the Women’s Soccer team’s continued dominance to a fired-up football squad coming off a statement win, every Hurricanes team competing this weekend has something on the line. With October marking the final stretch of the regular season, the push for playoff positioning is in full swing.
Four teams are on the field this weekend! With some teams at home and some on the road, each are facing different situations as they inch closer to playoff action.
Here is a look into what is happening this weekend (October 4th and 5th) in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) and Atlantic Football League (AFL) for the Holland Hurricanes.
Women’s Soccer
The Hurricanes Women’s Soccer team remain at the top of the ACAA standings, boasting a 6-1-1 (wins-losses-ties) record and riding a seven-game undefeated streak. Last weekend, in Nova Scotia, Holland defeated UKC 1-0 and tied MSVU 1-1, giving them a two-point conference lead heading into October.
With just four regular season games left before hosting the 2025 ACAA Women’s Soccer Championships, the Hurricanes will enjoy home-field advantage for three of them—starting this weekend at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall, P.E.I.
Saturday, October 4th – vs. UNBSJ Seawolves (1:00 p.m.)
Fifth-place UNBSJ visits for a pivotal matchup after falling 1-0 to Holland in their first meeting on Sept. 14. With a 3-3-0 record and two games in hand, the Seawolves are clawing to stay in the playoff race.
Sunday, October 5th – vs. STU Tommies (1:00 p.m.)
This could be a playoff preview. Third-ranked STU (4-1-1) arrives six points behind Holland and hungry for redemption after a 3-0 loss to the ‘Canes last month. They’ll look to build momentum following a Saturday match against Dalhousie.
For the Hurricanes, second-year midfielder Karissa George (New Glasgow, P.E.I.) remains an unstoppable force on the field, leading the squad with four goals and two assists after eight games. Last week, she was named the Hurricanes Female Athlete of the Week after scoring three goals in a 4-0 win against Crandall on Sept. 21.
This past weekend, second-year centre-back Georgia Doucette (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) scored her first goal of the season - the game-winning goal - against UKC, and rookie forward Yuki Komine (Urayasu, Japan) saved the team from losing to MSVU by scoring late in the game to end in a tie, earning Holland one point instead of zero.
Both games start at 1:00 p.m. Watch them live on the Holland Hurricanes YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@GoCanesGo.
Cconnect with the ‘Canes Women’s Soccer Team at www.instagram.com/caneswsoccer and www.x.com/caneswsoccer.
Men’s Soccer
The Hurricanes Men’s Soccer team face a make-or-break weekend after a tough September, which saw them fall to 2-6-0—currently sixth in the conference and six points out of a playoff spot.
Now with a 2-6-0 record, which has them sixth in the conference, the 10-time ACAA Champions have entered must-win territory. While Holland College is hosting the 2025 ACAA Men’s Soccer Championships, the Hurricanes must finish fourth or higher in the standings to participate.
With a new month comes fresh opportunities, new aspirations, and the drive to prove the rest of the conference wrong as young underdogs. If they can pull off a weekend sweep on home soil this Saturday, October 4th, and Sunday, October 5th, the season is far from over.
The Hurricanes will stay home this weekend for a pair of games at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall, P.E.I., with the third-ranked UNBSJ Seawolves in town on Saturday, and the second-ranked STU Tommies coming over on Sunday.
Saturday, October 4th – vs. UNBSJ Seawolves (3:15 p.m.)
UNBSJ (4-2-0) is tied for third and defeated Holland 2-1 earlier this season. A win here would be a massive boost for the Hurricanes.
Sunday, October 5th – vs. STU Tommies (3:15 p.m.)
Second-place STU (4-1-1) has allowed just two goals all season, but has struggled offensively of late. Holland will look to capitalize on the Tommies’ scoring slump and flip the script from their 3-0 loss on Sept. 13.
While Holland went scoreless this past weekend, second-year centre-back Carson Crawford (Miscouche, P.E.I.) was named the Hurricanes Male Athlete of the Week for his strong defensive and possession efforts in both games. Second-year goaltender Kole MacWilliams (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) stood out as well across both matches with a total of 10 saves on 15 shots, working tirelessly to ensure the team stayed in contention.
Both games begin at 3:15 p.m. If you can’t make it, catch this weekend’s action live on the Holland Hurricanes YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@GoCanesGo.
Connect with the ‘Canes Men’s Soccer Team at www.instagram.com/canesmsoccer and www.x.com/canesmsoccer.
Women’s Rugby
The women’s rugby Hurricanes are back in action after taking the past weekend off.
With two games down and two more to go before the playoffs, the 2023 ACAA champions look to maintain second-place in the standings and build a winning record, while simultaneously catching the UNB Reds for the regular-season crown.
Sunday, October 5th – @ Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB (2:00pm)
The Hurricanes will visit Sackville, N.B., to take on the third-ranked Mount Allison Mounties on Sunday, October 5th, at the Alumni Field. The game will be a rematch of the Hurricane’s home-opener on September 14th, which the Hurricanes won 20-17 in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The Mounties remain without a win heading into week 4, having recorded one point versus Holland’s five. Both teams are coming off tough losses against UNB in their previous contests.
Multiple Hurricanes players have recorded tries after two games, with rookie fullback/fly-half Hannah Somers (Summerside, P.E.I.) leading the squad with two. Three other players scored one each in Holland’s win against Mount Allison alongside Somers, including rookie prop Haven Woodside (Springbrook, P.E.I.), second-year second-row/prop Grace Robertson (Souris, P.E.I.), and fourth-year wing Madeline MacDonald (Souris, P.E.I.).
Hannah Somers and third-year centre Annik Whiten (Charlottetown, P.E.I.), the team’s reigning Most Valuable Player, scored in Holland’s 52-10 loss to UNB.
Notably, the last time Holland played Mount Allison, rookie fly-half/flank Allie MacKay (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) made an immediate impact in her ACAA debut, earning herself Player of the Game honours, and later recognition as the Hurricanes Female Athlete of the Week.
Game time is 2:00 p.m. Connect with the ‘Canes Women’s Rugby Team at www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanesrugby.
Football
The Hurricanes Football Team have gained significant momentum after a hard-fought victory against the Saint John Falcons last Sunday.
Saturday, October 4th - @ University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, NB (1:00pm)
Now carrying a 1-2 record with only three regular-season games remaining, the four-time AFL Champions will venture to Fredericton, N.B., this Saturday, Oct. 4, for their first game against the undefeated, league-leading University of New Brunswick (UNB) Reds this season at the BMO Centre.
This matchup sets the stage for a high-stakes rematch of last year’s AFL semifinal, where the Reds edged out the Hurricanes before falling short in the championship against Dalhousie. UNB remains undefeated through three games, though they were pushed to the brink in a narrow 24-21 win over the Tigers last week.
Last Sunday, second-year running back Pierce Saunders (St. Patrick’s, P.E.I.) came in clutch against Saint John on multiple plays, scoring back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter after the Falcons attempted a comeback rally. Saunders and rookie running back Ben Murdock (Miramichi, N.B.) were each named AFL Hurricanes Players of the Week for the season’s third week as a result of their contributions.
Third-year receiver Keiler Purcell (Mineville, N.S.) is one of the latest Hurricanes Male Athlete of the Week recipients, following a stellar effort that included a critical touchdown on September 20th against Dalhousie. His experience and leadership will be valuable in the team’s quest to dethrone the dominant Reds this Saturday.
Saturday’s game at 1:00 p.m. will be broadcast at https://www.youtube.com/@UNBReds.
Live updates will be available at www.x.com/canesmfootball.
Connect with the Hurricanes Football Team at www.facebook.com/canesmfootball, www.x.com/canesmfootball and www.instagram.com/canesmfootball.
Connect with the Holland Hurricanes at www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes,www.x.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.
Weekend Schedule
Football
Oct 4 - @ UNB Reds - 1:00
Women’s Rugby
Oct 5 - @ Mount Allison Mounties - 2:00
Women’s Soccer
Oct 4 - vs UNBSJ - 1:00
Oct 5 - vs STU - 1:00
Men’s Soccer
Oct 4 - vs UNBSJ - 3:15
Oct 5 - vs STU - 3:15
Stay connected with the Holland Hurricanes:
hollandhurricanes.com
@hollandhurricanes on Instagram
facebook.com/hollandhurricanes
140 Weymouth Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4Z1
Tel: 1-800-446-5265 | Fax: 902-629-4239
