It's a time to celebrate the past, as the University of Manitoba welcomes back alumni for Homecoming week. It's also an opportunity to see the future for the Bisons, with both football and women's soccer in action on campus.

For Bisons football, a game against UBC is an opportunity to snap a two-game losing streak. Manitoba made a big statement in their home opener on August 30 — beating 2018 Hardy Cup champion Saskatchewan — and are hoping to repeat that performance on Saturday.

For women's soccer, games against Pacific opponents continue, as they welcome Thompson Rivers and UBC Okanagan to the West Turf Field. On the road, both golf and cross country compete as well.

That, and what else to look forward to, in our weekend preview.

Football – Saturday, September 21 vs. UBC – 2 PM

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

Though their last game ended with Alberta scoring a game-winning touchdown with six seconds left, the Bisons (1-2) have plenty trending in the right direction heading into a Week 4 matchup with UBC (0-3).

That starts with running back and return specialist Michael Ritchott, who is on pace to obliterate the program record for kick return yardage. Already with 340 yards on ten returns, Ritchott needs just 44 yards to break into the Bisons' top ten seasons all-time, and is second in U SPORTS in kick return yards per game (34.0).

Ritchott also statistically leads a run game that continues to find pay dirt against opponents. Manitoba's 170.0 yards per game on the ground puts them 6^th in U SPORTS, with Ritchott averaging 79.3 yards per game and third-year Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette averaging 39.7.

On defence, Manitoba's line has lived up to its promise heading into the season. The Herd rank 16^th in the nation with seven sacks and have recovered three fumbles and made three interceptions. Penalties have been a sore spot, however, as the Bisons have the most penalty yardage of any team in the country with 231 through three games.

Recent history against the Thunderbirds hasn't been kind to Manitoba, as they've lost nine of ten to UBC and eight straight dating back to 2014. The Bisons and 'Birds have played two overtime games over that span as well, with the Herd hoping to break through against their winless opposition this weekend.



This weekend's Homecoming Game is preceded by a tailgate carnival in James Daly Fieldhouse, which ticket-holders and students get into free. At halftime, the Bisons will honour the 1969 and 1970 Vanier Cup winning teams on the 50^th anniversary of their first national championship. Tickets are $10 if purchased online and $15 at the gates. U of M students and fans 12-and-under get in free!

Women's Soccer – September 20 vs. Thompson Rivers (7 PM), September 21 vs. UBCO (7 PM)

WATCH: CanadaWest.TV
LIVE STATS
UPDATES: Follow @BisonWSOC on Twitter

Bisons soccer (1-3-0) continues a four-match streak against Pacific division teams this weekend, as they host the Thompson Rivers WolfPack (0-3-1) and the UBC Okanagan Heat (0-4-0).

Last weekend, Manitoba went winless in their first road matches of 2019, losing 4-2 to Fraser Valley and 5-0 to No. 3 ranked Trinity Western. Maintaining early leads will be a focus area for the Herd this weekend, as they've squandered 1-0 leads to both the Cascades and the Saskatchewan Huskies early on this season.

While the Bisons are disappointed by the end results, there's no question their young core of offensive players has been rock solid through four matches. First-year midfielder Jessica Tsai has been red hot with two goals and three assists, putting her atop the Bisons and tied for second in Canada West in points. First-year defender Stefanie Young has similarly had a strong start, with a goal, an assist, and a team-leading 10 shots.

Their first opponent in Thompson Rivers has struggled to find the back of the net so far in 2019, scoring just one goal in a draw with Calgary on Sept. 7. As they also look to snap a two-match losing streak, the WolfPack and first-year coach Mark Pennington will hope for a breakout performance from second-year Chantal Gammie, who was a conference All-Star last season after scoring seven goals.

Saturday's opponent has similarly struggled offensively, as UBC Okanagan has yet to score a goal this season. A young Heat team who graduated two veteran backline players have centred focus on third-year midfielder Erica Lampert, who will line up opposite fellow Kelowna natives Stefanie Young and Karina Bagi on Manitoba.

Bisons soccer tickets are $5, with U of M students and fans 12-and-under in free. Due to inclement weather, Friday's match has been moved to Subway Soccer South (211 Chancellor Matheson Blvd.)

Golf – SJU Fall Invite (Sept. 21-22), SMSU Mustangs Invite (Sept. 22-23)

Believe it or not, just three weekends remain until Bisons men's and women's golf compete in the inaugural Canada West Golf Championships in Kelowna. This weekend, both teams are in action.

The women are in Marshall, Minnesota for the SMSU Mustangs Invitational. In the team's first tournament of the season two weeks ago, third-year captain Marissa Naylor finished as the low Bison and tied for fifth overall as the team finished eighth. First-year McKyla Poponick was solid too, finishing in 36^th and shooting a day one 83.

The men, meanwhile, compete at the Saint John's Fall Invitational in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Consistent results from veterans like fifth-year Josh Neufeld and third-year Cameron McIntyre have been buoyed by youngsters Cole Peters and Connor Stewart. At last week's King's Walk Invitational, Stewart finished as the low Bison and in 4^th overall, shooting -3.

Cross Country – St. Olaf Invitational (Sept. 21)

After the team's time trial down Churchill Drive last week, Bisons cross country competes in their first meet this weekend down in Northfield, Minnesota. Last year, fifth-year and 2018-19 Bisons Male Athlete of the Year Simon Berube finished first in the event, leading the Bisons to a second-place team finish. Females to watch include fourth-year Nicola Odaisky, who finished second at the Manitoba Provincials last season.

Notes from the Range

• With a coach-player relationship dating back to their River East days, Bisons linebacker Samuel Hezekiah and coach Sean Oleksewycz have created a special bond and have high expectations for Hezekiah's career. Read more in our profile.
• They play on opposite ends of the pitch, but Haydn and Mackie Burdeny still have a connection in the sport and are hoping to turn it into goals this season. We talked to both of them about their careers.
• New Bisons men's golf coach Derrik Goodwin is no stranger to amateur success. We caught up with him about his career accomplishments, and how he plans to lead a university team for the first time.