WINNIPEG – On a rainy homecoming weekend afternoon at Princess Auto Stadium, the Manitoba Bisons turned in one of their strongest performances of the season but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against the MacEwan Griffins.
Despite difficult weather conditions throughout the morning, the Bisons controlled much of the play and consistently pressured the MacEwan goal. Manitoba finished with a 23-17 advantage in shots and generated numerous scoring opportunities throughout the match.
The home side came out on the front foot from the opening whistle. Bianca Cavalcanti generated a pair of early chances, while Taylor Sousa tested MacEwan goalkeeper Sabrina Alexander multiple times as the Bisons outshot the visitors 13-5 in the opening half. Alexander was called upon repeatedly to keep the match scoreless heading into halftime.
Manitoba continued to push after the break, creating dangerous opportunities from set pieces and sustained pressure in the attacking third. The Bisons nearly broke through in the 76th minute when Mia Fonseca's header struck the crossbar after a corner kick.
The breakthrough finally came in the 79th minute. Fonseca found Frankie La Peter, who finished the chance to give Manitoba a 1-0 lead. The goal was La Peter's second of the season and appeared to put the Bisons on course for all three points.
The hosts continued to press even after taking the lead, but MacEwan found an equalizer in the closing moments to split the match with the Bisons.
While the late goal denied Manitoba a victory, the performance was one of the team's most complete outings of the season. The Bisons earned six corner kicks, controlled long stretches of possession and created quality chances throughout the afternoon in front of a Homecoming crowd at Princess Auto Stadium.
Kailey Johnston-Krulicki was strong in goal, making eight saves, while La Peter and Fonseca connected for Manitoba's lone goal in a match where the Bisons carried much of the play.
The draw moves Manitoba to 1-4-2 in Canada West play heading into Sunday's rematch against the Griffins. That game is set for 12 p.m. and tickets are available here.
