The Manitoba Bisons (1-1-0) pressured early and often against the visiting Regina Cougars (1-1-0) on Saturday evening at the West Turf Field (U of M campus), outshooting their opponent 14-7 while earning the 3-0 victory. 

The hosts set the tempo right from the jump courtesy of aggressive play from their defence. Both Stefanie Young and Rebecca Waterman were able push the pace while also generating a few turnovers which resulted in solid chances for midfielder Jessica Tsai as well as striker Celeste Gallego within the first four minutes. But Regina goaltender Kylie Bolton was up to the task, stopped both attempts within the box. 

"I think they were fantastic," Bisons head coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas said post-game regarding the defence's ability to create scoring chances. 

"They implemented our game plan really well. We wanted to set the tempo from the beginning and the physicality and to show them we wanted to win the game today and to bounce back stronger because we were really frustrated from yesterday. I think our girls showed great character today. The defence created offence for us today and we were able to score goals."

Manitoba kept playing up-tempo soccer and were rewarded with two goals within eight minutes of each other. The first came 26 minutes into play, as Tsai's corner kick was stopped by Bolton, however Gallego was able to scoop up the rebound into the left corner. The second goal at the 34 minute mark came courtesy of an excellent cross from midfielder Mackie Burdeny, which Tsai was able to get all of with a header. 

The Cougars had trouble breaking behind Manitoba's back line but did have some solid first half chances. Forward Olivia Gables was the orchestrator of a vast number of those opportunities with some nice through balls as well as an excellent steal eight minutes in that was tracked well by Manitoba goalie Karina Bagi. Regina also got a great look 28 minutes into play on a Taylor Bubnick free kick that went straight on but again Bagi was right there to make the save. 

The visitors battled hard to get on the board in the second half and had two great chances early, including an excellent corner kick 50 minutes into play by midfielder Allyson Schnieder, however no teammate was able to finish the play off. 

Manitoba would add to their lead at the 51-minute mark, as Young out-muscled multiple Cougars players and made no mistake on a partial breakaway. The goal caused a bit of a skirmish which resulted in a red card to Bolton, causing Regina to go a player down for the rest of the game. 

Despite having one less body, the visitors continued to fight, with Schnieder getting a great look on a free kick 68 minutes into play, but the shot went wide left. Kyra Vibert also got behind Manitoba's defence a minute into extra time but was called offside as the hosts came out with the 3-0 win. 

Next up for Manitoba is a trip to B.C. to take on Fraser Valley and Trinity Western while Regina will also be on the west coast taking on UBC and UNBC.