The Manitoba Bisons women’s soccer team begins the ninth season in the Canada West conference with a new coach and two new captains. They are pleased to announce two team captains for the upcoming 2013 season.

Bison fourth year defender Sarah Haiko (pronounced: Hay-ko) and fourth year goaltender Chloe Werle (pronounced: Wer-lee) will be team captains for this season. This is the first time for both players to be donning the ‘C’ for Manitoba.

Bison women’s soccer head coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas enters her first season at the helm and commented, ”I am thrilled that our team will be led by outstanding leaders on and off the field. Sarah and Chloe are not only excellent soccer players but also exceptional students and human beings. They both are also very active in participating and encouraging our team members to participate in community service events. I am sure that they will be great role models for new and returning players and that they will have a very positive impact in enhancing our team performance and team dynamics.”

Haiko, 21 (turning 22 on Dec. 9), starts her fourth season at Manitoba in 2013. She has continued to be a solid defender at the back for the Bisons during the years. In 2012, she started and played in all 12 regular season games (plus one playoff match) and fourth on team with two goals and added six shots on goal. Overall in three seasons, she has played in all 41 overall games (regular season and playoff games) while starting in all games while scoring four goals, one assist with 16 shots on goal. The Winnipeg native is a three-time CIS Academic All-Canadian.

Werle, 20 (turning 21 on Sept. 9), enters her fourth year with the Bisons in 2013. Last season, she played in the nets for all 12 regular season games (plus one playoff match) and registered a 1.97 Goals Against Average, 44 saves (seventh in conference) with three shutouts (seventh in conference) and a 4-7-1 record. In three seasons, she has started 27 of 41 overall games and was a CIS Academic All-Canadian in 2011-12.

Bison women’s soccer notes: The Herd completed training camp and opens the 2013 Canada West regular season with two games during September 6-8 weekend at home. Manitoba starts by hosting Saskatchewan on Friday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. CT and then plays against Regina on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 3 p.m. CT. All home games during the 2013 campaign for Bison women’s soccer will be held at the held at University of Manitoba Outdoor Turf Fields - West Field.