The University of Regina's women's soccer team defeated the University of Manitoba Bisons 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Sophia Stevens scored her first career goal on a header in the second half to put the Cougars ahead for good. With the win, the Cougars stay three points behind the Huskies in the East Division standings.
Kyra Vibert scored her fourth goal of the season for the Cougars. Bianca Cavalcanti scored in the first half for the Bisons.
"We talked this whole week, about our first part of the season versus our second part of the season," said Cougars interim co-head coach
Astrid Baecker. "We wanted to have the mentality that we're going to start strong and that we are going to finish strong, not only the second half of the season but every 90 minutes when we are out playing."
The Bisons dominated possession in the first half. Manitoba had a penalty shot attempt early in the game but put it too high and did not come away with a goal. Late in the first, Bisons striker Bianca Cavalcanti scored on a hard shot close to the net after receiving a centering pass from Camila Goldzstein. Manitoba led 1-0 and had 10 shots at the break while Regina only had four shots.
In the second half, Cougars forward
Kyra Vibert put away her own rebound to tie the game. In the 77
th minute, the Cougars got a corner kick.
Jessica Merk sent the ball perfectly into the box and
Sophia Stevens placed it into the back of the net off of her head to give the Cougars a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
"We spent a lot of time talking about our behaviors within our structure and I think the behaviors pushed them through to the next level, they were accountable to each other and there was a lot of purpose behind everything they were doing on and off the ball."
Allyson Ford made nine saves in net for the Cougars to get the victory. Bisons goalkeeper Karina Bagi made eight saves in the loss.
Both teams face off again tomorrow, October 3
rd, at noon on the U of R Field.
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