Box Score WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Bisons opened the first leg of the 2023-24 Duckworth Challenge with a win, securing a 1-0 victory at IG Field thanks to a header from true freshman Taryn Cabak off a corner in the 82nd minute.
Manitoba improved their record to 3-8 on the season while cross-town rival Winnipeg fell to 0-7-4 on the season. Manitoba is now 7-0-2 all-time in the soccer portion of the challenge.
With her ninth shoutout, Karina Bagi moved into second all-time in program history after a six-save performance. She needs just 13 saves over the last three games of the season to tie the program record set in 2009 by Ashley Forbes.
Captain Jessica Tsai added two more shots on goal, leaving her just four shy of tying Allison Kastner's career record of 87, set in 2012.
Manitoba dictated possession all game, with 26 total shots. Cabak's goal tied her for the team lead, with three and she also displayed spot-on defence throughout the match. This season, she's played in all but 45 minutes of game action for the Herd.
Winnipeg picked up a total of seven shots in the loss. They would be led by forward Brianna Machado, who had two shots – also the Wesmen's two best chances.
Despite struggling for solid ball control, Winnipeg's Machado had the most lethal chance of the first – effortlessly speeding right past three Manitoba defenders and launching a shot that just grazed off the right post.
Manitoba's Tabata Bravo countered shortly after – getting deep into Winnipeg's box and launching a shot with a bit too much gusto that sailed over the crossbar.
Coming out of the half, Manitoba continued to chip away at the Wesmen – meticulously applying on-ball pressure.
Manitoba's pace would create many close opportunities in the second – notably a winding shot from Nicole Davis that had the crowd on their feet as the ball skimmed the crossbar.
The tie was snapped in the 82nd minute, as Cabak rocketed home a header on a brilliantly-placed lob pass by Breyanna Johnston-Krulicki off a corner, on of six in the game for the hosts.
"Throughout the game, we had a lot of corners, and every time it was just so close. I knew that by the end of the game I had to finish one," said Cabak.
"It was a beautiful cross by Breyanna, and I had to just get up high and power it in."
Winnipeg would fight tooth and nail to get an equalizer in the final minutes, but the Bisons swarming defence proved to be too much to handle.
With the first leg of the Duckworth Challenge decided, the Wesmen will look to respond during the volleyball and basketball portions early in 2024.
Both teams will return for an intense rematch tomorrow, Sunday, October 5.
