By Reegan MacAulay
Summer is winding down, excitement is building, and a storm is brewing as the Holland Hurricanes return to action for the first time in about five months.
The 2024 fall season is set to commence this weekend with multiple games at home and on the road for the men’s and women’s soccer teams and the baseball team. With many established returnees and a crop of elite recruits ready to usher in a new era for the Holland Hurricanes, the first taste of what’s to come is this Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8.
Women’s Soccer
After one of the best seasons in Holland Hurricanes women’s soccer history, which included an undefeated regular season, an Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) championship, and a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national bronze medal, the team begins the 2024 fall season with a road trip to New Brunswick on Saturday, Sept. 7 and a ride back home on Sunday, Sept. 8 for the home-opening match.
The women’s soccer team starts their season with an away match against the Crandall University Chargers on Saturday. Crandall enters the fall seeking revenge after failing to win in all of the 2023 fall season; they failed to score in all but one game and they lost both games to Holland 10-0 and 4-0 at home. Game time is 1 p.m.
On Sunday, the Hurricanes will return home and welcome the Dalhousie Rams to the Terry Fox Sports Complex, who also had a rough 2023 fall campaign, winning just two of 12 games and losing 8-0 and 4-0 to Holland. Game time is 1 p.m.
While many question marks surrounding the program due to numerous roster changes over the offseason, head coach Jonathan Vos, the 2023 ACAA Coach of the Year, is ready to take on the challenges that begin in a few days.
“This year’s team will have a new look with several players moving on from the bronze-winning team at CCAA Nationals. We have added some great pieces to the team this year and I’m looking forward to seeing how this group comes together,” Vos said.
For the players to keep an eye on, 2023 ACAA second-team all-conference goalkeeper Allison Rutt, winger Kristyn Taylor, and defense Bethany MacDougall will be counted on to lead the way and help the recruits get their feet wet. Versatile midfielders Karissa George and Matsuri Sako enter the program with high expectations among the coaches and will look to make an immediate impact while adding depth and balance to a still-strong core.
Off the field, the presence of assistant coach Laura Deagle will be missed, but returning assistant coach Kristyn Visser, incoming assistant coach Rachel Green, and goalkeeping coach Brandon Eagle are ready to make sure the 2023 momentum stays fresh with the veterans and is built upon by the rookies.
You can watch Sunday’s home opener live on ACAA TV at .
Connect with the women’s soccer ‘Canes at and .
Men’s Soccer
While the women’s soccer team is filled with first-year players, the Holland Hurricanes men’s soccer program has more of a mix between their recruits and veterans, and it’s determined to earn redemption after an unfortunate ACAA semi-final loss in 2023, starting this Saturday on the road and this Sunday on home turf.
The team starts their season by joining the women with a trip to New Brunswick against Crandall on Saturday. The men’s Chargers won only one of their 12 games in 2023 and lost 4-1 to 7-0 against Holland. Game time is 3:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the Hurricanes will, once again, join the women with their home-opening match at the Terry Fox Sports Complex, also welcoming the Dalhousie Rams. The men’s Rams had a similar campaign to the Chargers with just one win in 11 games and losing 4-1 and 9-0 against the Hurricanes.
Head coach Jonathan Vos knows two things; one, the 2023 season was strong, but the ending was unforgiving; two, with that knowledge and who is back for better, he wants the upcoming journey to end with nothing more than the biggest prize of them all.
“We felt we didn't reach our potential last season. The playoff loss left a sour taste in our mouth. The goal is to battle for the top spot in what will be a very competitive ACAA,” Vos said.
Former ACAA all-conference midfielders David Bayingana (first team) and Vinny Boyd (second team) will be heavy favourites to make sure the team’s foundation remains solid. Striker Chad McNally, known for his exceptional offensive and leadership skills, and talented goalkeeper Nolan Kowal are just some of multiple new players ready to add depth and hunger to the group.
The coaching staff remains strong with Vos, Eagle, and Nathan Ford in charge once more.
You can watch Sunday’s home opener live on ACAA TV at .
Connect with the men’s soccer ‘Canes at and .
Baseball
A new Atlantic Collegiate Baseball Association (ACBA) season sees plenty of potential for the Holland Hurricanes baseball program. With the exit of one of the best head coaches in Hurricanes history (Andrew MacNevin) and new head coach (Tyler Johnston) taking the helm, plus an outstanding group of returnees set to continue their stardom, the program has everything going in its favour to break a five-year championship-losing curse, and the run toward that starts this Saturday and Sunday with home and away-game doubleheaders.
On Saturday, the Hurricanes were set to open the season at home versus the defending champions, the Acadia Axemen, however with the rain in the forecast, this double-header has been cancelled. The pair of games has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 5 at Memorial Field at Victoria Park.
On Sunday, the Hurricanes are set to open the season when they head to Halifax, N.S. to visit the Dalhousie Tigers for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Last season, the Tigers went 4-8 overall, losing 4-0 and beating Holland 12-8 in a late-September doubleheader.
Johnston is excited to get things started knowing several key talents are back and the potential for this year’s recruit class to be the best ever.
“I, along with the rest of the coaching staff, are very excited for the upcoming season. Taking on this new role should come with a lot of nervousness, but every time I look up and down the roster and coaching staff list, I just get more confident,” Johnston said.
He will be getting some new support in assistant roles, as former players Peter Keedwell and Patrick Young will also be fresh to the coaching side of the Hurricanes, as will Bret Cheverie and Brett Caissie.
Two of the ACBA’s best players are back on the field for 2024, with MVP and Pitcher of the Year Ethan Smith and Defensive Player of the Year Duncan Picketts set on making sure their narrow miss of the 2023 championship game doesn’t happen again. Joining them are skilled infielder Sam Worth and ACBA All-Star shortstop Dylan Worth, along with promising recruits like catcher Caden Doyle and pitcher/first baseman Sam Murnaghan.
Connect with the baseball ‘Canes at and .
Get Your Season Tickets Now!
Season tickets are still available for grabs! There are multiple new perks for season ticket holders in 2024 that Holland Hurricanes fans will not want to miss out on, so be sure to head over to and be ready to cheer on each team!
Connect with the Holland Hurricanes at , , and .
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140 Weymouth Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4Z1
Tel: 1-800-446-5265 | Fax: 902-629-4239