Box Score WINNIPEG – Looking to respond after a loss to Calgary, the Manitoba Bison women's soccer team took on the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Sunday, September 27 in another important match-up of two East Division teams in playoff position.
Despite a number of missing bodies, the Bisons put together one of their best team games of the season at the University of Manitoba Turf Fields, winning 3-0 in dominating fashion.
Clearly energized by the early play of their forward Selina Speranza, who had a goal and an assist in the match, the Bisons used ball possession and stellar passing to hold off the Pronghorns. Elyce Molyneaux and Camille Plett also had goals, with Megan Graca notching an assist.
"I'm just really proud of the team, we had the defeat yesterday but we said 'we lost a battle but not the war'," said Bisons head coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas. "We were ready today. We were all working together to score the goals, and also a big goal for us was to keep a clean sheet, and we did both."
"We're very happy and of course now we have the bye weekend to prepare us for the big game at the World Cup stadium, so we're really looking forward to it."
With the win, Manitoba improves to 4-2-2 and gets more solid footing on the third spot in the East Division. Lethbridge falls to 2-2-2.
As they did Saturday, Manitoba played this one without injured forward and former Canada West Female First Star of the Week Bruna Mavignier, but Speranza continued to play admirably to fill the loss among the forwards. Speranza's goal, the game-winner at the 12-minute mark, was a thing of beauty – breaking in quickly, she launched a shot across the net and bounced it in off the opposite post. Ten minutes later, Speranza put a soaring cross in for Elyce Molyneaux, who hurdled the goalkeeper to punch in a second goal.
Lethbridge's chances were few in the first 50 minutes of the game, but Bisons goalkeeper Madison Wilford made one important play late in the first half, sacrificing her body to avoid a point blank header from Aislinn Williston.
For most of the second half, Alyssa Daley and Camille Plett took over the forward play from Speranza and Alanna Shaw. Plett was able to get on the board at the 57-minute mark, blocking in a ball that was deflected around the penalty box.
Though Pronghorns chances started to add up late, the 3-0 lead was simply too much to overcome. For Manitoba, it's their first clean sheet since the 4-0 season opener win over Thompson Rivers.
The 'Horns next action will be Friday, October 9 against UNBC in Prince George, kick off at 7 p.m.
