The University of Manitoba Bisons women's soccer team had the opportunity to host U SPORTS nationals last year, and sixth-year head coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas is hoping that her team is able to build off of that experience heading into 2018. With the majority of her squad back from last season, optimism is high for a team that has reached the playoffs each of the past three years. Below is a breakdown of what to expect from the squad.

Forwards

Martinez Lagunas is looking for "leadership and efficiency" from her forward group in 2018. Leading the way will be fifth-year Bruna Mavignier and third-year Alanna Shaw, each of whom have the capability to break a game open with their accuracy and striking abilities.

Both players already scored in the preseason, with Mavignier netting two goals in a scrimmage at the end of July, while Shaw scored on a beautiful strike from 25 yards out against UND in early August.

"Bruna is a great header of the ball, so that will help us out, and Alana has a beautiful long distance shot," said Martinez Lagunas. "I'm hoping they can show the girls intensity, as well as smart decision-making and being good role models in all aspects of the game."

Supporting the duo will be players such as third-year Celeste Gallego and second-years Lauren Martens and Stephanie Friesen. Gallego started eight regular season games in 2017 and also scored her first career U SPORTS goal.

Midfielders

Arguably the strongest position for Manitoba this season will be at midfield. Former Canada West All-Star Amanda Wong enters her fourth year with the squad, while third year Hailey Lavarias is coming off a 2017 campaign that saw her record seven goals, as well as lead the team in points with nine.

"Her speed, just her athletic abilities are out of this world," Martinez Lagunas said of Lavarias. "She's a big competitor and as soon as the season starts, I know she will be ready for it."

Three impact recruits that are likely to make a difference on the pitch, while also providing depth, are Gabrielle Clark, Katelyn Isfeld and Tatiana Palacio.

Clark, a native of Centreville, NS, comes to the Bisons after an exceptional rookie season with Louisiana Tech University where she was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team. Her family also has ties to the U of M, as both of her parents attended the university, with her mom being named the Bison Female Athlete of the Year in 1982.
Isfeld has previous international experience, having trained with the Wolverhamption Wolverines in England, as well as Roma's women's team in Italy.

Palacio will bring a level of maturity to the squad, as she enters her first year of eligibility in her late 20's. The native of Columbia already has a degree from her home country and will be doing a two year Master's at the U of M. Martinez Lagunas describes her as having great technical abilities, with the speed of play being the biggest adjustment she'll have to make.

Other players to look out for at midfield are second-years Michaila Pilcher, Abby Eggers and Breanne Smith, who "have improved tremendously and will be competing for more playing time this year," according to their head coach.

Defenders

The defensive core is a mixture of experienced and younger talent, led by the team's former Defender of the Year Shaylyn Dyck, who is in her third year with the squad. Other players on the back line to keep an eye out for are last season's Defender of the Year Hayley Ward, who enters her third year, as well as 2017 Rookie of the Year Katherine Meo and fellow third years Kailyn Balfour and Haydn Burdeny.

"After having the experience of the national championship, I'm really looking for more consistency," Martinez Lagunas said of the defensive rotation. "They are still young, but they're [mostly] third years. So I definitely expect more communication among the back line, and more synchronization."

Goalkeepers

Manitoba will have no shortage of options in net in 2018, as they have five goalkeepers on their roster. Leading the way is third-year Justina Jarmoszko, the team's Goalkeeper of the Year last season who has recorded 203 saves since her debut U SPORTS season in 2015.

Additionally, Camille Forbes enters her second year of eligibility looking to build off of a 2017 campaign that was halted due to injuries. Arguably the most intriguing goalkeeper for the Bisons however, will be fourth-year Maddie Wilford. In 2016, she started in all 14 games for Manitoba, recording 106 saves. Last season, she returned to the team towards the end of the year, making two valuable starts in a fill-in role.

"[Maddie] just loves [the game]. I don't think she can live without it," Martinez Lagunas said.

"We had our alumni game this past weekend, and she made probably two or three saves where we were like, how did she just do that? I think she will help the team tremendously, and just for [new goalie recruits] Alexis [Anderson] and Karina [Bagi] to learn from her is going to be huge."

The Bisons start their 2018 soccer campaign on the road at Regina on Sep. 8 and at Saskatchewan on Sep. 9. The team's home opener takes place Friday, September 14 at 6 p.m. vs. the Trinity Western Spartans. That game is also International Student's Night at the West Turf Fields (U of M campus), with entertainment, prizes, and Spirit Cup activities for residence students.