Box Score PRINCE GEORGE -- The Manitoba Bisons showed little fatigue from a cross-province flight from Calgary to Prince George the night prior, as they knocked off the UNBC Timberwolves 3-1. Jenna Kunkel and Bianca Cavalcanti found the back of the net for the second game in a row, while Chloe Morin scored her first career U SPORTS goal to cap the scoring. 

Both teams recorded 13 shots on the day in well-paced back-and-forth contest. It was the Timberwolves who got on the board first, as Avery Nystedt lifted a floater from 45 yards out that stymied Bisons netminder Daria Reimer, who was outstanding otherwise.

Reimer recorded six saves on the day for her first career U SPORTS win, and was fearless on challenges all afternoon. Perhaps the best example came in the 58th minute, when she came out of her net to disposses a breakaway from Sidney Elliot, who was otherwise in alone. 

Manitoba leveled the game six minutes after Nystedt's opener, as Cavalcanti received a stellar pass from Britney Blunderfield, who displayed great touch on a ball from 20 yards out. The pass sailed over multiple UNBC players and right onto the awaiting foot of Cavalcanti from just outside the six-yard box. The goal was Cavalcanti's third of the season and 12th goal in 16 career U SPORTS games. It was also the third time in four games that Manitoba has scored in the opening 16 minutes. 

Just four minutes later, the Bisons' quick strike offence -- which is fifth in the conference with nine goals through four games -- was at it again.

This time it was Kunkel, who as usual, was in the right place at the right time. She got inside positioning on her defender at the far post, tapping in a loose ball that UNBC goalie Brityn Hinsche was unable to handle.

The original shot was an excellent one, courtesy of Bianca Bucci. She blasted a left-footer from 25 yards out down the left flank that bended perfectly. It nearly tucked under the crossbar for a goal, but Hinsche was able to get her hands on it. However, she couldn't control the ball and Kunkel made her pay. The tally was Kunkel's third goal in the last two games, equaling her total from the year prior as a true freshman, and also served as the game-winner.

The Timberwolves pressed for the equalizer in the second half, with their best chance coming in added time. A well-placed corner and accurate header beat Reimer to the right, however Tabata Bravo was in perfect positioning at the far post and kept the ball out with a header of her own. Shortly after, Manitoba sealed the deal thanks to a blast from over 30 yards out from Chloe Morin, her first U SPORTS goal as a Bison in regular season play. 

"I think we worked hard until the 90th minute. There were some chances on both ends, but we stayed composed as a team and fought right until the end," Kunkel said postgame. "I think our overall effort and staying calm and working together [were key], because we know how we play and we just have to stick to that."

With the win, Manitoba improves to 3-0-1, and are in a top two position in the prairie division as they head back to the middle province for their home opener against top-ranked pacific division opponent UBC at 12 pm this Saturday. With the loss, UNBC falls to 2-2-0 in the pacific division.