September 8 - At Winnipeg, MB, the Manitoba Bisons women’s soccer opened the 2007 Canada West regular season with a thrilling, come-from-behind 2-1 victory over defending 2006 conference regular season champion and currently #9 ranked Victoria Vikes. The Bisons are now 1-0-0 while Victoria is 0-1-0.

The game started quickly for the hosts as midfielder Desiree Scott hit the goal post and then striker Caley Miskimmin missed high before the 15 minute mark. Scott had another opportunity at the 25 minute mark as she dribbled in close to the goal but was thwarted by Vikes’ goalkeeper Kasia Gwiazda. At the 30 minute point, the visitors started adding more pressure and had numerous chances by midfielder Amy Thorogood, forwards Kendra Flock and Alli Bach. Flock had the best chances as Bisons’ netminder Ashley Forbes came out to cut down the ball but it squirted loose and Flock missed the net from 15’ out. Forbes was outstanding in the final 15 minutes of the first half and the majority of her nine saves came during this span. At half, 0-0 score.

In the second half, Victoria increased the intensity and controlled the ball for the greater part of the first half-hour. Forbes was asked to make several close, point black saves on Flock, Janelle Smith, Bach and Sondra Contumelias. The Herd countered with a couple of strong runs and Miskimmin was stopped, after a beautiful turn and shot, in the goalmouth by diving Gwiazda at the 28 minute mark.

Victoria finally was rewarded by scoring the first goal of the game when Smith ran onto a ball and kicked it over the outstretched hands of Forbes for a 1-0 lead at the 35 minute mark. This marker seemed to awaken the Bisons as they came back quickly with a long shot from Carrie Nash that just missed and then forward Karli Colpitts scored off a corner kick to tie the score. This was Colpitts first game since 2005 as she recovered from an injury last season. At 1-1, both teams were furious to find the winning goal. Victoria had a couple of chances with Bach booming a corner that was caught by a leaping Forbes. On the other end, Gwiazda was tested by a close shot by Miskimmin and it looked like the game was going to be a draw.

In injury time (two minutes), the Bisons pushed forward and rookie Nash floated a ball in the box. Scott battled with defenders plus Gwiazda and was able to kick the ball into the net for the game-winning goal and an exciting 2-1 finish in front of a loud and appreciative home crowd of 300.

Overall, Forbes made 14 saves and named Manitoba Player of the Game while Gwiazda had nine saves. Victoria led with seven corner kicks and 22 shots to five and 20 by Manitoba.

Victoria now travels to Regina for a game on Sunday, September 9 while the Bisons hosts the #1 ranked UNB Thunderbirds at University Stadium at noon CT on September 9.

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