The University of the Fraser Valley women's soccer team built an early lead and managed to hold on long enough to earn a 3-2 victory over the Manitoba Bisons at Abbotsford Senior Secondary on Friday, October 16 evening.

UFV's first goal snapped a 287-minute shutout streak, spanning more three games, for the Bisons.

The Cascades controlled the majority of play in the first half and after two goals in quick succession it looked as though the home team may run away with it. But the Bisons had other ideas, finding a goal in first-half stoppage time and adding another late in the second to make things interesting.  

UFV opened the scoring in the 19th minute on a quick counter-attack. Gurneet Dhaliwal charged forward with possession before finding Brittney Zacharuk on the left wing. Zacharuk crossed the ball into the box where Monika Levarsky stretched out to deflect the ball into the far corner of the net.

Shelby Beck added to the Cascades' lead in the 24^th minute. Zacharuk, who was a force all afternoon, picked up her second assist of the game when she fired a ball into the box for Beck. A Bison defender blocked Beck's first crack at goal, but a friendly Cascade-bounce led to her getting another chance. She would make no mistake the second time around as she slotted the ball past Bisons keeper Madison Wilford.

UFV earned a third goal from a set piece in the final minute of the first half. Again from the left side, Beck punched the ball into the area. Gurneet Dhaliwal got under it at the right post and headed it back across goal. Cascade defender Tristan Corneil was first to it and drove the ball into the net to put the UFV up 3-0.

The Bisons would answer back late into stoppage time. Wilford wisely punted the ball downfield to 1^st half substitute Alyssa Daley. The Bisons forward made a hard run towards goal and got around the challenge of Cascade defender Dayle Jeras before chipping the ball over UFV keeper Kayla Klim just seconds before the halftime whistle.

Half time adjustments by both teams saw the early portion of the second half played methodically, with little chance for either squad in the attacked third. And when a 76^th minute opportunity for UFV presented itself, Wilford was there to shut the door.

Monika Levarsky flicked the ball past a Bison defender for Dhaliwal to run onto. She made a quick move to the right side of goal before striking the ball on net. Wilford challenged well and deftly punched the ball wide.

Manitoba almost found their second of the game in the 78^th minute. Defender Elyse Molineaux hit the ball into the box off a free kick before teammate Robyn Coffey headed the ball over the crowd. Bison midfielder Megan Graca was first to it and struck the ball well but it skipped just wide of the far post.

The Bisons would draw to within one in the 85^th minute. Daley earned her second point of the match when she slipped the ball past the Cascades defense to Selina Speranza. UFV goalkeeper Emily Harrold, who replaced Klim at half, charged out of her net to challenge the attacker but Speranza showed great poise and chipped the ball into the top portion of the net.

Manitoba pushed for an equalizer over the last minutes but the Cascades stymied any attack to secure the victory.

With the win, UFV moves to 7-3-1 (W-L-T) on the season and sit 3^rd in the West division. They'll welcome the University of Winnipeg Wesmen to Abbotsford for their final home game of the regular season tomorrow night. Kick off is scheduled for 5 pm.

The Bisons own a record of 6-3-2 and sit third in the East division. They kick off at 5 p.m. tomorrow in Langley vs. the Trinity Western University Spartans.