The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades defeated the University of Manitoba Bisons, 3-0, to improve their Canada West regular season record to 5-5-1 for 16-points and stay in the pennant race for a Canada West post season berth. The Cascades are tied with Saskatchewan, at 16-points, 1-point behind Calgary at 17-points. All three schools have three regular season matches remaining. UFV is home to the University of Regina Cougars on Sunday (October 24th) at 12:00PM, at Bateman Park.
The Cascades came out strong today and controlled the match from opening whistle to closing playing an exceptional game on both offense and defense. The Cascades sweep the two game regular season series from the Bisons holding them to 4 shots in two matches and veteran goalkeeper Chantelle Biagioni, Pitt Meadows, BC earned her second shutout against Manitoba this year and third overall.
The balanced attack started in the midfield with captain Megan Webster, Abbotsford, BC, Andrea McLachlan, Maple Ridge, BC and forwards Ellen Kuyer, Surrey, BC Carly Neeson, Maple Ridge, BC and Danika Snook, Chilliwack, BC as they ran Manitoba all afternoon winning every “loose ball” and turning the tempo of play and the game into a half field affair with the offense creating many chances to score.
The Cascades did not wait long as Neeson scored the game’s first goal 3 minutes into play off a loose ball in front of Manitoba’s net. UFV continued to pressure Manitoba’s defense but the Bisons withstood the pressure for the remainder of the first half and went into the locker room trailing UFV by the one goal.
“We came out flying today. Carly Neeson scored a great goal after a brilliant individual effort. We were assertive going forward but lacked the final touch needed to add to our lead,” said a very happy UFV Coach Rob Giesbrecht about the team’s first half performance.
In the second half, UFV went right back to work scoring the second goal 12 minutes into the half, it would be Neeson’s second of the game, third on the season and the goal gave UFV more momentum as they continued to pressure and in the 80th minute Webster put the game away with a brilliant low shot at the keep from 18 yards out.
Biagioni made two saves to earn her fifth Canada West victory of the year. The shutout lowers her goals against average to 1.45 on the season.
“Carly (Neeson) was great today, Chelsea Steffen worked hard and tackled well,” said Giesbrecht. “We need to come out tomorrow with the same urgency we showed for most of the game today.”
Manitoba 0 0 = 0
UFV 1 2 = 3
Scoring:
First Half:
0300: UFV Neeson
Second Half:
57:00 UFV Neeson (Munro)
80:00 UFV Webster
Goalkeeping:
Manitoba: L Harrison L Saves: 3
UFV: C Biagioni W Saves: 2 Shutout: (3)
Shots on Goal:
Manitoba: 5 /UFV: 9
Corner Kicks:
Manitoba: 0 / UFV: 6
Players of the Match:
Manitoba: Stephanie Imhoff / UFV: Carly Neeson
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