| Manitoba 5, Saskatchewan 2 | October
14 - The University of Manitoba Bisons took one more step The 8-2-0 Bisons have clinched their first ever playoff appearance after the victory over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, coupled with a University of Calgary loss. Also, after the CIS No. 1-ranked UBC Thunderbirds 1-0 loss to the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Sunday afternoon, the Bisons now have sole possession of first place in the Canada West standings. This is the latest in the season that Manitoba has been in top spot. Both wins (8) and points (24) are new records for the three-year old soccer program in Manitoba. "Our goal this year was to get into the playoffs and we've worked hard to position ourselves to be in a really good place for the final playoffs, so we'll see what happens in the next two weeks," said Manitoba head coach Walt McKee. "We went out fast and furious, got out five goals, and started playing all our players and gave them an opportunity to play." With the loss, the Huskies drop to 2-5-3. The Bisons controlled the majority of the play and were able to out shoot the Huskies 22-12. "Victories Sanders played outstanding. My midfield played really well today. The moved the ball, they kept possession, didn't force it and maintained control in the midfield and our forwards finished off on the opportunities. Actually we had more opportunities that we didn't score on." All seven goals in the game came within the first 25-minutes. Manitoba had five different goal scorers getting goals from Caley Miskimmin, Nancy Feir, Carrie Nash, Desiree Scott and Karli Colpitts. "I stood in front of the score clock and said take a look at that. That's the most goals we've scored all year plus in only 25 minutes. Fantastic. That's an accomplishment," said McKee. Manitoba got off to a fortunate start when a shot by Miskimmin was accidentally put into the Saskatchewan net by one of its own players. That put the Bisons up 1-0 only three minutes into the game. Two minutes later, Feir, being pursued by a Huskie defender, dribbled the ball out from corner, paused to let her go past, and switched to her left foot, rocketing a shot off the cross-bar and in. Not yet done with the offensive outburst, Nash blasted a shot from the top of the box that Huskie keeper Kailee Marland could only get a piece of as it sailed to the top of the net. It fell behind her and bounced into the net, giving Manitoba three goals in 11 minutes. The Huskies got onto the scoresheet just five minutes later when Hudon was able to head in a ball during a scramble in front of the Bison net. Scott regained the three goal margin, three minutes later, taking matters into her own hand, cutting a through a swath of white Huskie jersey and bulged the net for her fifth goal of the year. Not to be out-done, Hudon did the same thing going the opposite way, three minutes later. Saskatchewan's leading scorer, potted her second of the game and sixth of the season to make the score 4-2 at the 22-minute mark. Before the first half was done, Manitoba's leading scorer, Colpitts scored her eighth of the season, heading in a corner kick by Stephanie Rurak. Colpitts goal at the 25-minute mark gave her a share of the lead in Canada West scoring. Manitoba will now travel to British Columbia next weekend to face the University of Victoria Vikes (5-4-0) and the No.1-ranked UBC Thunderbirds (7-1-1). "We've got two really tough games next week. I've warned the players that this is just the beginning. So this game is finished today, start again on Tuesday with practice and get ready for the games next week." |