This weekend, the University of Manitoba soccer team was on the road in Saskatchewan. The Bisons opened up with a loss to the Regina Cougars 2-1 on Saturday, and played a goalless draw on Sunday against the Saskatchewan Huskies.
Saturday
Manitoba’s first stop of the weekend was at the University of Regina to take on the Cougars.
The Bisons got on the board first, with a goal in the 30th minute by Sara Schur, assisted by Bruna Mavignier. The lead lasted just 10 minutes, as the Cougars responded with a goal by Racquel Marshall, who deflected a corner by Karlee Vorrieter into the net in the 40th minute.
Vorrieter broke the tie just a minute later, with a goal set up off a rebound by forward Sydney Langen to put Regina up 2-1 at the end of the first half. Shots were 9-5 in favour of Regina, with the on-goal total sitting at 4-2 for the Cougars.
The Bisons came out shooting in the second recording three shots – two on goal – in the first three minutes. This offensive push continued for both sides, with the goalkeepers making repeated saves for their respective teams. However, the Bisons just couldn’t break through and fell to the Cougars 2-1.
The final shot totals were 16-12 in favour of the Cougars. Manitoba goalkeeper Maddie Wilford made five saves in the loss, while Ashton Lowry made four for Regina.
Midfielder Schur of the Bisons received player of the game honours, with Manitoba’s lone goal, and Marshall of the Cougars was awarded the same honour for her side.
Sunday
In game two of the weekend, the Bisons were in Regina to visit the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in a foul-filled affair at Griffith Stadium.
Bison goalkeeper Wilford was busy early and often in the first half, seeing nine shots, stopping all four directed on goal. This included a flurry starting in the 36th minute where three shots were directed towards the goal, though she was only forced to make one save. In response the Bisons took three shots in the first half, but only forced Huskies keeper Kyleigh Vause to make one save.
The Huskies were close to breaking the scoreless tie in the 60th minute, putting five shots on goal in a short period of time, including one off the crossbar. Bison keeper Wilford stood tall, making three saves.
The game ended in a scoreless draw, with shot totals favouring Saskatchewan 18-4, with on goal shots being 9-2 in favour of the Huskies. Twenty-two fouls were handed out through the game: ten to Manitoba and 12 to Saskatchewan.
The Bisons ended the weekend with a 3-6-3 record on the season, with the next two games being at home next weekend. Manitoba takes on the 5-3-4 UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday and the 5-3-3 Victoria Vikes on Sunday, both at 11 a.m. The women will be looking towards creating a gap in the standings, where they currently sit fourth, tied with the University of Regina and the University of Winnipeg.
