WINNIPEG – An important match between two of the top three teams in Canada West's East division, the Calgary Dinos met the Manitoba Bisons in women's soccer on Saturday, September 26 at the University of Manitoba Turf Fields.
Given it's just the midway point of the season, the Dinos and Bisons showed a physical, competitive nature in a match marred by strong southerly winds. When the dust (very literally) settled, it was Calgary with the 3-1 win.
After a 1-1 halftime score, the turning point for the Dinos came midway through the second half. Mollee Ramsay and Maddison Fritze scored in the 68th and 70th minute, respectively, to get both the game-winner and the insurance goal. Jordan Smith had the first half goal.
For the Bisons, first-year forward Alanna Shaw had the lone goal, her third of the season, at the 28-minute mark. The loss is just the second of the Bisons season, as they fall to 3-2-2. Calgary improves to 4-1.
"We were doing great. Actually, I felt in the first half we dominated the game," said Bisons head coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas. "Then, you know, we're doing well in the second half but then [we give up] the goal. Of course, psychologically, it's hard, and then we've got the wind against. But there are no excuses, Calgary played a good game. They used their chances and they scored."
With each team spending a half with the 50 km/h wind behind them, the coaches on both sides clearly emphasized taking advantage. Manitoba played that way in the first half, dominating the ball and outnumbering the Calgary goal scoring chances by a wide margin. In the first seven minutes alone, the Bisons got two break-ins for Camille Plett – though both were defended well by the Dinos.
That momentum stopped, though, when Jordan Smith broke through at the 18-minute mark for Calgary. The only goal scored against the wind, it was a blast from the top of the box that Bisons goalkeeper Chloe Werle had no chance on.
After a couple Selina Speranza opportunities going the other way, it was Shaw who broke through, grabbing a great ball and capitalizing on a goalkeeping error by Erica Fox to score.
An aggressive Calgary midfield ensured that was the extent of Manitoba's scoring. With the wind at their back in the second half, the opportunities came early and often for the women in red. Werle gave her best effort, but some hard bounces ultimately sealed her fate on the Ramsay and Fritze goals.
The Bison women's soccer team now look forward to the Lethbridge Pronghorns, with the game set to start at 2 p.m. CST tomorrow, Sunday, September 27, at the University of Manitoba Turf Fields. Calgary will play the University of Winnipeg at the same time across town.
Written by: John Gaudes