Winnipeg, Manitoba….The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades defeated the University of Manitoba Bisons, 2-1, tonight to secure 7th place in Canada West standings and a trip to the post season for a second straight year. The Cascades finish 5-4-3 for 18 points, one better than the Regina Cougars at 17 points. UFV will travel next weekend to face the University of Alberta Pandas 9-1-2 for 29 points, in the Canada West quarterfinal, in Edmonton. The Cascades were defeated by the Pandas 4-1, in late September, in Edmonton. The Cascades do have some playoff history at Foote Field as they captured UFV’s only Canada West championship in 2010 defeating UBC 2-0 in the title game. UFV finished with the exact same winning percentage of .542 as they did in 2012.
UFV played today’s match as a playoff game. They came out strong and controlled the middle of the field early and kept possession of the ball, winning all the loose balls and winning the majority of challenges in the air. The Cascades hard work paid off in the 38th minute as the newest scoring weapon on the Cascades roster Shelby Beck, Langley, BC scored her fourth goal of the weekend to give UFV the lead. The Cascades held onto the one goal lead until Beck broke through the Bison defense and was taken down in the box for a penalty kick, which veteran midfielder Carly Neeson, Maple Ridge, BC finished to give UFV the two goal lead.
That two-goal lead would only last 15 minutes as the Bisons Kayla Gagliardi scored from 18 yards out on a pass from Maryn Haswell to break up the shutout bid by UFV’s goalkeeper Kayla Klim, Burnaby, BC. The Cascades defense would hold on for the victory as Klim made five saves in the win. Jade Palm, Powell River, BC was named UFV’s “player of the game” for her excellent play on defense.
“At times we were brilliant today, moved the ball around the park well and created numerous goal scoring chances. Manitoba are a difficult team to break down so we had to keep the tempo up and make wise decisions with the ball. Jade Palm and Tristan Corneil were solid as center backs today and Carley Radomski was smooth on the ball and helped control the tempo,” commented UFV head coach Rob Giesbrecht.
“ Shelby Beck had another strong outing, slotting in the opening goal and drawing the penalty on our second goal. It’s good to finish the regular season with a six point weekend. We enter the postseason coming off two wins and we are eager to play our quarterfinal.”
UFV 1 1 = 2
UM 0 1 = 1
Scoring:
First Half:
38th Minute UFV S Beck (P Friesen)
Second Half:
56th Minute UFV C Neeson (P Kick)
74th Minute UM K Gagliardi (M Haswell)
Goalkeepers:
UFV: K Klim Saves: 5 GA: 1 (W)
UM: C Werle Saves: 8 GA: 2 (L)
Shots on Goal:
UFV: 14 UM: 8
Corner Kicks:
UFV: 5 UM: 1
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