The University of Regina's women's soccer team beat the University of Manitoba Bisons 1-0 in the second game of their doubleheader.
After a tough loss in their season opener, the Cougars turned things around this game for their first win of the year.
"We were more consistent in the application of our principles," Cougars interim head coach
Astrid Baecker said. "We managed the transitional moments that hurt us yesterday." Â
The Cougars looked to be in trouble early when a handball was called against them in their own box. Manitoba missed wide on the penalty shot attempt letting the Cougars off the hook.
In the middle of the first half,
Sophia Stevens sent a ball from deep on her own side of the field to first-year forward
Nicole Klassen. Klassen received the ball nicely and launched a shot that hit the crossbar and into the Bisons net to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. She joins
Peyton Enns as first-year Cougars scoring their first career Canada West goals this weekend.
The Bisons got another penalty shot later in the first half for an opportunity to tie the game. Cougars goalkeeper
Allyson Ford made an incredible save on the second penalty shot, reading the shooter perfectly. She dove to her left, redirecting the ball out of bounds.
The Bisons came out of the break pushing hard and created several chances to tie the game. The Bisons generated five shots and three corner kicks within the first 20 minutes of the second half. The backline and Ford held strong to maintain the 1-0 lead.
In the last minute of the game, Manitoba nearly tied it with a race to the ball that Ford got to first. The Bisons then had a free kick from just outside the box with no time left on the clock. The Cougars turned that away to earn their first win of the season.
"We spent time today to reset, review, and resume," Coach Baecker explained. "That was important to come together as a team."
Allyson Ford had an incredible performance for the Cougars, totaling a massive 15 saves on the night. The defense also played well to limit the Bisons from having great looks at the net for their first clean sheet of the season. Â
The Cougars continue their season next weekend for their home opener against the University of Winnipeg Wesmen. The game is on Saturday, September 18th, at 12:00pm located on the U of R Field.
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