Victoria continue to roll over competition
Vikes get past Bisons 6-1
ROMER BAUTISTA STAFF
PHOTO: DEREK LAW
Despite a strong effort, the U of M Bisons women soccer team fell to the Victoria Vikes 6-1 on Sunday afternoon at University Stadium. The Oct. 14 defeat was the second loss of the weekend for the Bisons, who also suffered a loss to UBC Thunderbirds the day before.
After practising all week in wet, dreary, gloomy weather, Sunday afternoon brought a sunny autumn day for the Bisons women. The beautiful weather seemed to be a spark for the team, who, for the first 15 minutes of the game, went toe-totoe, blow-for-blow with the nation’s top-ranked team. But just as soon as the sun began to disappear behind the oncoming clouds, so did the Bisons’ chance of picking up the victory.
The Vikes’ offensive attack, which had applied pressure all game long, was finally rewarded, despite the solid effort of goalkeeper Ashley Forbes to keep the Vikes off the scoreboard. Just prior to the 15 minute mark, Victoria forward Kendra Flock was able to send a shot past the diving keeper for the 1-0 lead.
Flock was at it again five minutes later, when her corner kick bounced off a couple defenders, before finding a spot inside the Bison net.
With a 2-0 lead, the Vikes showed why they are the best team in the country, stepping up their defensive game, and constantly stymieing the Bison offensive attack. The Vikes defence was able to hold the Bisons’ Desiree Scott and Caley Miskimmin, two of Canada West’s top goal-scorers, to a combined two shots on goal.
A first-half substitution that brought in midfielder Tristen Perras seemed to spark the Bisons offence, but whenever they did get a good opportunity to get on the score board, Vikes goalkeeper Kasia Gwiazda was in the right position to keep the score the same. Gwiazda finished the game with six saves.
With just two minutes to go in the first half, the Vikes added to their lead. Forbes seemed to have made the initial stop of a Mariel Solsberg shot, but didn’t get quite enough, as the ball squibbed past her and into the net. The whistle blew signalling the end of the half with the Vikes comfortably ahead 3-0.
That third goal was a big boost for the Vikes team, as their offense had stagnated since their two earlier tallies. Unfortunately for the Bisons, the Vikes’ momentum continued in second half, as they came out on fire, getting three goals past a surprised Bisons team in the first 11 minutes of the half, quickly turning the 3-0 game into a 6-0 blowout.
Vikes forward Liz Hanson was a big part of the second-half surge, getting a point on all three of the goals. Hanson finished the day with one goal on five shots on goal, and also added three assists.
Despite the outcome being fairly certain, the Bisons continued to battle, showing their heart and their determination. At the 64 minute mark of the game, Laura Locke finally got the home team on the board, taking a pass from Kayla Dilling, and putting it into the Vikes net.
The Locke goal was the last score of the game, as the match finished in a 6-1 Victoria victory.
The Bisons (3-6-1) will continue their push for a Canada West playoff berth this weekend on the road, against the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Alberta teams.
