UPEI Panthers centre back Max VanWiechen focuses on heading the ball during a drill at a recent practice. The Panthers open the 2023 Atlantic University Sport Men’s Soccer Conference regular season at home against Mount Allison on Sept. 1 at 7:15 p.m. Jason Simmonds • The Guardian - Staff
“I still remember getting in my first pre-season game and right when the ball dropped, I couldn’t believe how fast it was,” said VanWiechen, 21. “It’s definitely a lot faster, the players are a lot stronger, a lot bigger, and the skill was higher than anything I had seen before. VanWiechen, who plays centre back, enters his fourth year with the Panthers and his third year of U Sports eligibility after there was no conference play held during VanWiechen’s freshman 2020 season due to COVID-19.“I love the guys on the team, the coaches, and it’s great being able to play in my home province where all my family can watch me.”
“This year, I can see he is keen to be a leader on the team. He’s setting a great example coming to train early, doing all his pre-training routines and it’s great to see that growth in him and how he is passing it along.”VanWiechen, who is from Montague, welcomes the opportunity to join the team’s leadership group. Although only 21 and with two years of conference playing experience, VanWiechen is working hard on being a role model and helping teammates out with whatever they may require.
The UPEI Panthers’ Max VanWiechen controls the ball during a drill at a recent practice. Jason Simmonds • The Guardian - StaffVanWiechen’s journey to the Panthers began in youth soccer with the Eastern Eagles’ program in Montague.