WINNIPEG — With just four games left in the regular season, Bisons women's soccer will be in for a dramatic playoff race following a weekend split against the team just above them in the East Division standings — the Regina Cougars.
Manitoba lost a close match 2-1 on Saturday but followed it up with a 2-0 victory on Sunday. The three-point weekend improves them to a record of 4-4 and 12 points on the season. The Cougars are just ahead of them with 13.
The Bisons' four remaining games come against first-place Saskatchewan (19 points) and last-place Winnipeg (2 points). The Cougars face the same two teams in opposite order.
Key to Manitoba's success this weekend — as she has been all season — was first-year forward Bianca Cavalcanti. The Recife, Brazil native scored the Bisons' lone goal on Saturday and her seventh of the season on Sunday. Her average of .875 goals per match is good for fourth in Canada West and second among rookie players.
In Saturday's match, Cavalcanti's marker came first in the 40th minute. The second half was dominated by the Cougars, though, who converted twice — first by Kyra Vibert at 57' and second by Sophia Stevens at 76'. Despite a 14-12 advantage in shots, Manitoba unfortunately lost the match.
On Sunday, Manitoba was even more on the forward foot. Totalling a 11-7 shot advantage, Cavalcanti scored again just four minutes in. Alex Paul gave the team some insurance before the first half was up, scoring her second of the season at 42'. Karina Bagi had to make just two saves in the shutout, as the Bisons rallied hard to keep their playoff hopes alive.
A tall test awaits the team now, as they'll need to take points off the Huskies at the UM West Turf Fields on October 15 and 16. Both matches begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are available now or fans can watch on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.
