Ryan Stelter, Bison Sports
WINNIPEG – The Mount Royal Cougars beat the Manitoba Bisons 3-0 in women's soccer at the University of Manitoba West Turf Fields on Sunday Sept. 24.
With the loss, the Bisons fall to 1-4-1 and the Cougars move to 3-2-1 in Canada West play.
On a wet, cold afternoon in Winnipeg, the Cougars quick start in the first half was enough to see the victory through. Cougar forward Kaitlin Brown scored the game winner early on, tapping home a Navroop Virk cross in the fourth minute. Six minutes later, Cougar forward Erin Holt danced her way into the Manitoba 18-yard box, and fired a hard shot over Bison goalkeeper Justina Jarmoszko.
Bison midfielder Hailey Lavarias had a good chance to split the lead in half in the 15th minute but her shot was swallowed up by Cougar goalkeeper Cailyn Leeson. Five minutes later, Bison midfielder Rebecca Martin had a shot off a corner, but it just rolled past the post.
In the 22nd minute, Cougar defender Caitlin Heim scored a highlight reel goal. Heim collected the ball from 30 yards out, and took a shot, watching it sail into the top right corner. Manitoba had another good chance off a corner just before the half, with Hailey Lavarias watching her shot go just past the post.
With the rain coming down harder, and the Cougars content to sit on their 3-0 lead, the second half was lackluster. Manitoba had a couple chances to cut into the Mount Royal lead, however. Bison midfielder Amanda Wong curled a low shot from the edge of the 18 yard box in the 52nd minute, but Leeson was there to stymie her.
Perhaps the best chance the Bisons had was when midfielder Florin Wagner floated in a high cross, which found Sara Schur, who aimed her header for the far corner, but it just went wide. Alyssa Daley appeared to find the back of the net when she took a shot from in tight, but it went off the side netting.
Despite dominating possession in the second half, Manitoba could not find any offence, and the Cougars held on to win 3-0.
The Bisons head out on the road on Sept.30 and Oct. 1 to play the Calgary Dinos and Lethbridge Pronghorns. The Cougars will host the Saskatchewan Huskies and Regina Cougars on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
Players of the Game:
Mount Royal: Hailey Lafave
Manitoba: Hailey Lavarias