ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – The University of the Fraser Valley women's soccer team flexed its offensive muscles on Friday evening, topping the Manitoba Bisons 4-2 at MRC Sports Complex.
Bryana Buttar, Katie Lampen and Tavia Jasper found the net for the Cascades (1-1-1) over a 16-minute stretch to end the first half, and Simi Lehal rounded out the hosts' scoring outburst in the 62nd minute. Jessica Tsai and Stefanie Young replied for the Bisons (1-2-0).
Cascades senior winger Brittney Zacharuk carved out a slice of program history, registering two assists on the night to give her 15 for her career and set a new all-time record for UFV women's soccer. The previous record-holders were Shelby Beck (2011-15) and Danica Kump (2012-16), who both finished their careers with 14 assists.
UFV and Manitoba return to action on Saturday evening. The Cascades host the Winnipeg Wesmen (5:30 p.m.), while the Bisons visit the Trinity Western Spartans (5 p.m.).
Tsai broke the ice early on a Bisons counterattack, launching a shot from 35 yards out that arced over the head of Cascades goalkeeper Joven Sandhu and dropped into the net.
Cascades rookie midfielder Buttar drew the hosts even in the 29th minute, willing her way to the ball on a scramble in the box and firing home a low shot.
Zacharuk set up the next two goals – in the 41st, her cross found rookie Katie Lampen on the doorstep, and she used her upper body to deflect it home. In first-half added time, Zacharuk's free kick from the right wing found Jasper at the far post, and she slid in for the finish.
Lehal made it 4-1 in the 62nd, finishing from close range off a feed from Kailyn Halvorson. Young, in the 90th minute, clawed back a goal for the Bisons but it was too little, too late.
"I think we started extremely well," Bisons coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas said afterward. "The last 15 minutes of the first half, I don't know what happened. After their first goal was scored, we deflated. It's something we really need to address, and it cannot happen.
"It was positive for us to get that last goal at the end of the game. We're just going to work on that mental toughness."
