The Bisons women's soccer program enters a new era this season, led by first-year head coach Mark Colvin.
 
An Ontario native, Colvin's coaching experience includes eight years with North York Cosmos SC and Toronto High Park FC, as well three with Lakehead University Orillia, where he was the head coach of the men's team that competed in the OCAA. He returns to Canada after three years coaching abroad in Sweden.
 
Entering the pre-season a few of Colvin's goals for the Herd were to "play with a proactive mindset, full of energy while being aggressive," adding that Manitoba would look to be "extremely aggressive, extremely proactive, and at all moments of the game look to control and dominate."
 
Following games against U SPORTS and American competition, Colvin has been happy with what he's seen, eager for Manitoba's season opener this Friday on the road against MacEwan.
 
"I thought the group, in a competitive environment, elevated their compete level with the physicality and the aggressiveness that they played with. Right away, through that competitive and physical mentality, we were able to dominate in the 50-50 moments of the game, the natural chaos in transitional moments where the ball isn't secure in either team's possession," he noted.
 
"I thought we did a good job dominating in those moments. Transitions are a big part of the game, especially watching more U SPORTS games. Us being able to dominate in transition in the moments of chaos will be very important for our success. That was the big takeaway."
 
Manitoba's roster has a strong mixture of proven veterans and rising stars.
 
Nine seniors in Sydney Arnold (defence), Shannon Lee (defence), Breyanna Johnston-Krulicki, (defence), Alex Paul (midfield), Chloe Morin (midfield), Mia Fonseca (midfield), Taylor Sousa (midfield), Paris Sidhu (forward) and Tabata Bravo will lead with their experience for a balanced Bisons group.
 
Notably, Sousa, a Winnipeg native, won a national championship with the MacEwan Griffins at the start of her U SPORTS career, while Lee was tops amongst all returning Bisons in goals (four), assists (four) and points (eight) last year, including a few incredible long ball tallies.
 
Colvin mentioned that Sousa is "a really dynamic attacking player," adding that "she's most dangerous with the ball at her feet. Her ability to dribble the ball in one versus one situations, take players on, or even just to wiggle out of tight spaces is a really important skill for us."
 

Lee provides the Bisons with a dual-threat skill-set. Strong and physical as a defender, she can also jump up into the play and has proven her game-changing ability on set pieces for years
 
"Her delivery is good from longer free kicks, but also she's a really good attacking threat in the box to finish off headers or volleys," said Colvin. "She's a very composed defender, reads the game really well and really adds stability to our back line."
 
Manitoba's back line in general, will be "strong, physical and aggressive, being able to dominate in the air."
 
The addition of Arnold, a 5'11" transfer from Winnipeg, along with the return of Breyanna Johnston-Krulicki, plus the presence of Mayala Fernades, Amra Becirovic, Nyla Wallace, Nadine Hadzic, Kylie Beaulieu, Neesha Claire and Hunter Zamrykut adds depth to a strong core.
 
In the midfield, former All-Rookie selection Taryn Cabak – who scored Manitoba's first goal in the pre-season – is expected to play "an advanced role" and has "a really good, well-rounded skill set," standing out with her "intensity and focus" in everything that she does.
 
Evelyn Lekivetz – who also scored in the pre-season – is a veteran of 25 starts for Manitoba and is another player who will likely have a prominent role. Much like her head coach, she's a left-footer from Ontario and has "great qualities on the ball."
 
"I think the balance between good work rate, but also a really good technical base, where she's able to get on the ball and break lines through her passing, but can also receive in tight areas, makes her a very impactful player for us," said Colvin.
 
"She's left-footed, so being able to have a left-footed player on the left side when it comes to our passing game, opens up angles that wouldn't be available to a right foot-dominant player."
 
In net, Manitoba features three goalies who all have different notable qualities. Holly Dyker amassed four wins last year, all shutouts, while Kailey Johnson-Krulicki returns to the roster after playing for the WSA Northstars a year ago. Rookie Bridget Murphy is another player to keep an eye on, with a proven track record of success.
 
Rest assured, Manitoba's roster is not going to be driven forward by one player. It's "simply not the makeup of the team," according to Colvin. That's clear to see, with a balanced group that, along with nine seniors, factors in 19 first to third years, with Covin adding that "one of the ways we can impact the game is through the changes made."
 
"Traditionally the word substitute is used, but I want to use the word game changers. Preparing our game changers to go into the game, is probably one of the biggest ways we can impact the game," he said.
 
"Engaging them in what's going on, what the opponent is doing and the adjustments we want to make, is very important. They can then take that information and when they enter the game when they're called upon, with that information, they can be more successful when they go on."
 
Long story short, on any given day, a different player has a chance to shine, showing Manitoba's diverse talent.  
 
"There are players who have individual qualities that make them stand out, but there's so many other great qualities in the roster. Our success is going to be a collective success," emphisized Colvin.
 
"Throughout the season, one player is going to play hero, and the next day it's going to be another player playing hero. That is the composition of our roster. We have many players that are performing at a high level. Our success we be based on our ability to keep that we mentality and to fight for each other when we're on the field."