Momentum's on their side after a stout home opening weekend, and Bison women's soccer own the stage this weekend. With games on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, they're the only home conference games, as they'll play Lethbridge and Calgary at the West Turf Fields.

Those games, and what else to look forward to for the weekend of September 21-24, 2018.

Women's Soccer – September 22 vs. Lethbridge (2 PM), September 23 vs. Calgary (2 PM)

UPDATES: follow @BisonWSOC on Twitter

While they didn't get a win in their home opening weekend (one loss, one tie), there were plenty of positives for Bison women's soccer. Facing the top-ranked team in U SPORTS on Friday, they battled the Trinity Western Spartans tooth and nail for 89 scoreless minutes. Though the Spartans got three points on a late goal, it showed the Bisons can hang with anyone in the difficult Canada West conference.

On Saturday, they earned a 2-2 tie with the Fraser Valley Cascades thanks to two late goals in each half — one by Nicole Davis and the other by Amanda Wong. Davis, a two-sport athlete in her first year, now leads the Bisons with three points.

This weekend, Manitoba's hoping to get some wins. On Saturday, they'll play the Lethbridge Pronghorns, who are 0-4-0 and yet to score a goal this season. Then, on Sunday, it's a tough matchup with the Calgary Dinos, who are 3-1-0 to start the year and have the Canada West First Star of the Week in goalkeeper Lauren Houghton. Houghton had a 13-save shutout weekend against Victoria and UBC on September 14-15, as the Dinos won both games.

Tickets for Bison women's soccer are $5 and available at the gate of the West Turf Fields. U of M students and fans 17-and-under get in free.

Football – September 21 at Alberta (2 PM)

GAME NOTES
WATCH: www.CanadaWest.tv
LIVE STATS
UPDATES: follow @MBBisons on Twitter

After a painful pair of close losses to UBC and Saskatchewan, Bison football finally got in the win column in Week 3 as they hosted the Alberta Golden Bears. Now, the two teams meet again in Week 4 — this time at Foote Field in Edmonton — as the 1-2 Bisons look to hold momentum against struggling 0-3 Alberta.

Home and homes are never easy according to Bisons head coach Brian Dobie, as the opposing team has gotten the chance to see a significant amount of what's in your playbook from the week prior.

For Manitoba, that playbook included a lot of fifth-year receiver Dylan Schrot, who was outstanding in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game en route to six receptions, 141 yards, and two touchdowns. Schrot is fast approaching the record books too, as his five receiving touchdowns through three games puts him just two back of the school record — set by Mike Faisthuber in 2000 and Nic Demski in 2013.

On special teams, the Bisons are also singing the praises of kicker Brad Mikoluff. The fifth-year has eight field goals in the last two games and currently holds the long kick in Canada West this season at 49 yards.

Alberta, meanwhile, continues to look for positives in a young season where they're struggling deeply. Outscored by 96 through three games, the Golden Bears are last in most major offensive categories — including total offence, passing yards, touchdowns, and first downs.

After this game, Manitoba returns to Investors Group Field for their annual Homecoming Game on Saturday, September 29 versus the Regina Rams (2 PM). Tickets are available on Ticketmaster for $17.50, U of M students and fans 17-and-under get in free.

Golf – September 22-24 – Men: Gustavus Twin Cities Classic, Women: SMSU Mustangs Invitational

Last weekend saw Bison golf get two individual wins in two tournaments, as fifth-year Devon Schade emerged victorious at the Crookston Invitational (-1) and second-year Marissa Naylor won at the Jamestown Fall Invite (+16).

This weekend, the teams play in Minnesota once again, as the men play the three-day Gustavus Twin Cities Classic at Links at Northfolk in Le Sueur, while the women play the two-day SMSU Mustangs Invitational at Marshall Golf Course in Marshall.

Hockey – September 21-23 – Exhibition Games

At long last, it's time to open up Wayne Fleming Arena — both men's and women's hockey will be playing at the U of M venue this weekend.

For the men, it's a one-off game against the Regina Cougars on Saturday at 2 PM — their last opportunity to tune up before the regular season begins at Calgary on September 28-29.

For the women, it's a pre-season invitational tournament, where they'll play two games at Wayne Fleming Arena — Team Sask U18 on Friday at 1 PM, Regina on Saturday at 7 PM — and one at Seven Oaks Arena versus Team Toba U18 on Sunday at 1:15 PM.

For those interested, the women's hockey game against Regina on September 22 will be available on UMFM 101.5 and CanadaWest.TV (fee required).

Volleyball – September 21-23 – Exhibition Games

Returning to the hard court are the men's and women's volleyball teams, as they'll both play in road non-conference tournaments.

The women play at the Regina Women's Volleyball Invitational, where they join a group of Canada West teams — Brandon, Trinity Western, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, and the host Cougars.

The men, meanwhile, head to Mount Royal's Invitational, where they'll play games against Windsor, Sherbrooke, and… the host Cougars (no relation).

Notes from the Range

• This week's Female Athlete of the Week, women's golfer Marissa Naylor was also profiled for our website. Learn about her surprising background in bowling!
• After joining Bison soccer from Louisiana Tech, learn about how midfielder Gabrielle Clark hopes to make an impact north of the border.
• Psychology has been a key to receiver Dylan Schrot's success, and he talked with us about how he's kept his mind right heading into his fifth and final year.