Entering play at 1-5, the women's soccer team faces two critical games this weekend at home. First, they'll take on the 0-4 UNBC Timberwolves on Friday at 6 pm at the U of M's West Turf Field, followed by a showdown inside IG Field at the same time on Saturday against the No. 1 nationally ranked UBC Thunderbirds. Click here for tickets to Friday's game and here for tickets to Saturday's game.

The Bisons are 4-1-1 in their history against UNBC. They won last year's matchup 3-1, including the first-career U SPORTS goal for Chloe Morin. With a young Timberwolves roster, expect the Bisons to stay aggressive. Four different players have scored a goal so far this season, led by Camila Goldsztein's two tallys, while UNBC has goals from Claire Turner and Kambria Mellum.

In net, Karina Bagi is third in the conference with 31 saves. She's on pace for 61 stops, which would tie her career high, set last season. In her career, Bagi has 173 saves, just 30 shy of tying Chloe Werle for second in program history. 

Saturday's game against 4-0 UBC should be a barn-burner. The two teams engaged in an all-time classic in 2022, with the T-Birds winning 2-1 at west turf on a goal in the 92nd minute. 

Eight different players have scored so far this year for UBC, while their 17.8 shots per game ranks third in the conference. Their leading goal-scorer is striker Katalin Tolnai, with two. She has 25 goals in her career, 17 of which came last season. 

For Manitoba, Bagi stopped six shots in the team's 2022 contest, including a diving save from in close. Look for her to play a major role again. Defensively, rookie Evelyn Lekivetz has started every game in the back third, as has Ava Memka, who had a stellar game against UBC last year. 

Captain Jessica Tsai will also play and start her 50th career regular season game against the T-Birds. She is now fifth all-time in career starts, and tenth in games played. Forward Nicole Davis -- who has a goal and an assist, and is second on the team with 11 shots -- will also start in her 50th career game, while her 54 games played are tied for seventh.