CALGARY – The Manitoba Bisons women's soccer team came up short in a couple Canada West road matches against the Mount Royal Cougars, falling 4-2 on Saturday before dropping a 5-1 decision Sunday at Mount Royal Stadium. 

The losses moved Manitoba to 3-8-2 on the season, while Mount Royal improved to 9-2-1 and remained among the conference leaders.

Despite the results, fifth-year striker Bianca Cavalcanti continued her climb up the Bisons record book.

Cavalcanti opened the scoring just 3:06 into Saturday's match, striking for her eighth goal of the season to give Manitoba an early 1-0 lead. The goal was the 27th of her Bisons career, moving her into sole possession of third place on the program's all-time scoring list and bringing her one step closer to second-place Desiree Scott, the former Canadian Olympian and Bisons standout.

Mount Royal responded before halftime when Brooke Miller tied the game in the 40th minute. The Cougars then took control early in the second half on a goal from Dany Juarez in the 52nd minute.

Manitoba answered quickly as Mackenzie Munro-Flora finished a setup from Cavalcanti to even the score at 2-2 in the 55th minute. The deadlock lasted just over 13 minutes before Gabrielle Linford restored the Mount Royal lead, and Miller added an insurance marker late in regulation to secure the 4-2 victory.

Cavalcanti factored in both Manitoba goals Saturday, recording a goal and an assist.

The Cougars carried that momentum into Sunday's rematch, scoring three times in the opening 32 minutes. Gabrielle Linford opened the scoring before Julia Makoloski and Brooke Miller added first-half goals for the hosts.

Manitoba showed life immediately after the break when Frankie La Peter converted a pass from Sarina Mann just 43 seconds into the second half, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

However, Mount Royal pulled away with goals from Tamara Djurisic and Livia Bonaventura less than five minutes apart midway through the half.

The Bisons generated more offensive pressure Sunday, outshooting Mount Royal 18-16, but were unable to find a second goal. Cavalcanti nearly added another late marker, forcing a save in the 88th minute before rattling the crossbar on a header in the closing seconds.

Manitoba will look to rebound next weekend as the regular season enters its final stretch.