The University of Manitoba Bisons womens soccer team (1-6) opened their weekend schedule against the University of Calgary Dinos (6-1), one of the top teams in Canada West. Saturday's match was a back-and-forth affair featuring some of the conference's most elite scorers. Bisons captain Jessica Tsai stole the show with two goals, but it wasn't enough to top Calgary 3-2.
 
After taking a pass from Dinos teammate Isabella Burtini, fourth- year forward Grace Moore kicked off the scoring by making a move to create room for herself, then striking a ball from outside the box to the top section of the net.
 
Manitoba struggled to respond as Calgary inflicted a hard press against the Bisons defenders. However, the Herd managed to keep shots to the outside and from distance.
 
The Bisons got tied the game in the 26^th minute, when Captain Jessica Tsai received a bouncing ball, turned and volleyed her 26^th shot of the year with her left foot past Dino's goalkeeper Anna Demarbre. The goal was Tsai's second of the season, and 55^th career point.
 
Momentum was still with Calgary though, and the Dino's continued to pack on the pressure.
 
Manitoba fought back, but struggled to connect on free kick opportunities, even committing some fouls of their own. Following a hard challenge, Dinos captain Rachel Barlow floated a ball into the goalkeeper's area, where Calgary's Jayden Berg sent a header into the net.
The Dinos continued to mount pressure against the Bisons, but the Herd defended well against the attack, limiting Calgary's opportunities late.
 
Manitoba created momentum on defence, allowing the home team to head into the half with their heads held high against the number one team in Canada West's Prairie division.
 
The Herd's second leading scorer, Janelle Chomini, started the second half with a bang early by striking a ball off the cross bar from outside the box.
 
Opportunities continued to be slim though, as free kicks and corners did not yield much for either side.
 
Attempting to create her own opportunity, Jessica Tsai sat deep in the Dino's box as the ball was moved down the Calgary line. Tsai jumped into the play, intercepted a pass, and buried her second of the game past Demarbre.
 
After notching a helper to move one away from tying Desiree Scott for the program assist record, Tsai admitted last weekend the record was on her mind. However, she was focused on getting her team the win today.
 
"I was very happy to get the tie for my team," said Tsai.
 
"Any points would have been huge, so for me it's less about the goals, [but instead] getting the team back level."
 
Just as Manitoba's momentum slowly increased, a similar play on the other end soured the mood.
 
Calgary's Rowan James, applying the same pressure the Dino's had employed earlier in the match, dropped down and pick pocketed Manitoba, then shooting it into the wide-open cage.
 
In the final minutes of the match, Manitoba won some tough fouls, setting up key opportunities for the Herd to tie the game. Shannon Lee fired multiple balls towards Calgary's net, but each chance was effectively cleared.
 
Head coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas was proud of her team's effort.
 
"I am extremely proud of the team." she said.
"I think we showed huge improvement in all moments of the game. We gave the Dinos a really amazing game. They are a top team, and we made them struggle […] We have our heads high after today's game."
 
A 5-year veteran, Tsai said she's always prepared for Calgary to put their best foot forward.
 
"Every time we face this team, we have a good battle" she said.
 
"We know that if we want to perform against them, score goals, it's gonna have to be a physical game. I think that's the competitive side showing up, even with the coaches, all the staff are involved. We just know that's how it's gonna be when we play Calgary."
 
Manitoba is back for the second half of their weekend homestand against Lethbridge on Sunday. Last time these teams squared off, the Bisons fell short 4-3 in a tightly contested match that was competitive up to the final whistle.