MRU @ UofM

The weather in Winnipeg was drastically different from the day before with the sun out and barely a cloud in the sky, only a strong wind would subtract from the conditions. The Manitoba Bison were a better team then the Wesmen though and the Cougars needed to be prepared for the competition. The game started with the Cougars looking to attack fast and hard and get a leg up on the Bison, plans don't always go according to plan though. With a soft foul by a defender the Bison took advantage of their free kick and hitting it long and high beat the goalkeeper who had to battle the sun in her eyes. After this the Cougars struggled with the game and calls being made by the referee, one of which was deserved as it better resembled an American football tackle then a play in soccer. This foul did earn a defender a deserved yellow card (ugh... Zilkie), but the tackle helped boost the team to push harder and get back in the game. As hard as they pushed though the Cougars unfortunately went down another goal, putting them in a difficult position to come back for the win. Just before the half though with a long corner Reaghan Zilkie headed the ball into the goal to keep the Cougars in the game going into half. Substitutions were made at half to get some jump in the attack and change the outcome of the game. The second half started with better possession and not long into the half Ashley Wroe scored from a through ball, beating the keeper one vs one. With the game tied at two Coach Fusco made plans to push for a last minute goal, as things go though the Bison got the go ahead goal with 5 minutes to go in the half. Showing a resilience that might have surprised some the Cougars responded with a goal by Kelsey Kinzner who once again beat a keeper high tying the game up. With injury time dwindling Ashley Wroe sent a long throw past a defender leaving Donella Lockhart with a bouncing ball, a physical defender on her back, and the keeper to beat. She managed to do all of these things, however the shot was inches off as it wrung off the inside of the post and bounced out. Coach Fusco's comments on the game were that the team were lucky to tie and almost managed to win. All in all the game was full of excitement, and Alyssa Himbault will be taking donations to replace her cleats which literally fell apart while on the field.