WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bison women's soccer team played their preseason finale on Friday, August 28 with energy and precision, winning 1-0 over the visiting University of Minnesota-Crookston Golden Bears.

It was the second year in a row the Golden Bears and Bisons met in a preseason friendly. After a 2-0 win last year, Manitoba was able to pull off the win again on Friday. Midfielder Alyssa Robinson scored the lone goal for the Bisons in the first half. 

"A win always gives us a good feeling going into the season," said Bison head coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas. "But also, during the game, especially the first half was very nice… we had some goals in terms of shots, crosses, and what we wanted to do and the girls just went all over the roof." 

The win propels Manitoba to a 3-2 record in the preseason after splitting four games from August 17-20 at the Great Plains Challenge tournament in Regina.

That was basically the extent of Golden Eagles chances on the night, however. Robinson's goal for Manitoba came at the 35-minute mark, a blast from just inside the left corner of the box, sailing over the head of goalkeeper Lexie Gauger and in. Manitoba would get their bench into the game to start the second half, something that Martinez Lagunas expressed appreciation for 

"For our new players, it was an opportunity to show as well. They were nervous at the beginning so we struggled at the beginning of the half," said Martinez Lagunas. "[Playing] gives them confidence and we get to see them, though, which is great."

Late chances for Bruna Mavignier and Elyce Molyneaux threatened to give the Bisons an insurance goal, but two narrow misses gave the game its final score.

The Bison women's soccer team now has just the regular season to look forward to, with their home opener coming next weekend on Friday, September 4, 2015 against the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack. Game time at the University of Manitoba Turf Fields – West Field (Fort Garry Campus) is 6 p.m. CT.

Written by: John Gaudes