Bison Brief

Romer Bautista, Staff

The U of M Bisons women’s hockey team took two straight from the UBC Thunderbirds on the weekend to move their records to a perfect 6-0-0.

The Bisons won 4-2 on Friday, Oct. 26, fending off a third period Thunderbirds rally to hold on for the win. Stephanie Messner, Sarah Stebeleski, and Addie Miles got the Herd out to a quick three-goal advantage with a marker apiece in the opening period. After a scoreless second period, the Thunderbirds responded in the third period with two goals in the first five minutes of action. However, Meghan Ross put the Bisons back up by two with a goal 11 minutes into the frame, and that’s how the game would finish. Stacey Corfield made 26 saves, 16 in the third period, for the win.

The following night the Bisons were once again two-goal victors, winning by a 2-0 margin for their sixth straight win to start the season. Katherine O’Rouke put the Bisons ahead with a second period goal. Stebeleski then iced the game with a goal in the third period. Dana Hoogsteen, who who started in relief of Corfield, made just 10 saves for the win.

The Bisons return home for a two-game set with the Regina Cougars on Nov. 2 and 3.

The U of M Bisons football team capped off their second straight perfect regular season with a 22-0 victory over the Simon Fraser University Clan on Saturday, Oct. 27. The loss also ensured that the Clan would be winless for the third consecutive season.

In what was clearly a mismatch to begin with, the Bisons broke out to an early 19-0 halftime lead with a pair of long drives. Matt Henry capped off a six-play, 93-yard touchdown drive with a 13-yard run, while John Makie found Simon Blaszczak for a five-yard touchdown reception to finish off a nine-play, 89-yard drive.

The Bisons then put things in cruise control in the second half, scoring again only on a 40-yard Scott Dixon field goal. It was Dixon’s second field goal of the game, adding to his 13-yarder in the first half.

The Bisons defence was unrelenting throughout the game, limiting the Clan to just 146 yards in total offence and 11 first downs. Defensive end Justin Cooper led the defensive corps with eight tackles and two sacks. Linebacker Jeff Alamolhoda added 10 tackles of his own to the defensive cause.

The Bisons now move on to playoffs, where they will play host to the University of Calgary Dinos on Nov. 3 at Canad Inns Stadium.

The U of M Bisons cross-country team was in Edmonton, Alb. over the weekend, participating in the Stewart Cup on Saturday, Oct. 27. The women’s team raced to a fourth-place finish, while the men’s team did not have a complete team to field a result.

Georgette Mink was the women’s squad’s top finisher after finishing in 12th spot. Colin Barnett and Desire Budigoma were the top finishers on the men’s side, finishing in sixth and seventh spot respectively.

This was the Bisons’ last meet before the CIS National Championships in Victoria, B.C. on Nov. 10. Barnett, Budigoma, Kristjan Hunter, Sheldon Kilcullen, Eric Tranquada, Paul Carr, and Patrice Leclerq will represent the men’s squad while Mink, Alice Sherwin, Melanie Gregoire, Lacey Ginter, Andrea Hesketh, Alex Bell, and Gina Tessman will represent the women’s squad.

The U of M Bisons swim team started their season with a meet at the University of North Dakota on Sunday, Oct. 28.

Braeden Taylor was the Bisons’ brightest star on the day, winning three individual events. Taylor finished first in the men’s 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke, as well as in the men’s 200-yard individual medley.

The Bisons also got a first-place showing from Casey Geregly, who finished first in the men’s 100-yard butterfly.

The Bisons continue their season with the SFU Invitational meet in Vancouver, B.C., on Nov. 3 and 4.

Tammy Brade of the U of M Bisons women’s hockey team and Mike Hellyer of the U of M Bisons men’s hockey team have been named as the Bison Sports Athletes of the Week for the week ending Oct. 28.

Brade had three assists, twice assisting on the game-winner, as the Bisons women’s hockey team remained undefeated this season in a two-game series with the University of Regina Cougars.

Hellyer had five points in two games against the University of Alberta Golden Bears over the weekend, including two goals in the Bisons’ 5-3 win on Friday, Oct. 26.