Bisons, Wesmen stay on the level

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This article was published 07/10/2016 (3593 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They were afforded every chance in a dominant second-half performance, but in the end, the University of Manitoba Bisons failed to find the trigger in a 1-1 draw with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen in women’s soccer action Thursday night.

Investors Group Field played host to just the second Bisons women’s soccer game on a chilly, fall evening. The event kicked off the 26th annual Duckworth Challenge, an exhibition series that pits both universities against each other across three sports — women’s soccer, basketball and volleyball.

(The Bisons beat the Wesmen 2-0 last October at IGF.)

Despite a dominant second-half performance, one lined with chances for the Herd, a stubborn Wesmen defence met every attempt thrown at it as goalkeeper Taylor Thokelsson repelled shot after shot in the final 45 minutes.

“We dominated completely, won the midfield and created five clear chances but couldn’t put any in. We need to work on that,” said Bisons head coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas. “I have to give credit to Winnipeg. They fought hard and deserve the tie.”

The Herd drew first blood in the 23rd minute, moments after Bisons goalkeeper Maddie Wilford kept the game level with a sliding save at the top of the 18-yard box.

Wesmen midfielder Danielle Comeau was sent in on a partial break, but the scoring chance was snuffed out by Wilford, who watched the shot ricochet of her knees and away from danger.

Moments later, the Bisons had a free kick awarded past the midfield marker inside Winnipeg’s half of the pitch.

Jessie Harland stepped up and delivered the ball, picking out a streaking Sara Schur who got her head onto the ball, lobbing it over the Wesmen keeper, who was helpless to the cause as the ball sailed over her head and into the back of the net.

“I had a moment where I connected (with Jessie)… I knew she was going to play it really quick and I was just hoping. I had no idea if it was going in,” Schur said. “It did, and we were so excited.”

The Wesmen drew level in the 34th minute. First-year forward Claire Preston found an inch of space in the 18-yard box and slotted home into the bottom right corner past the outstretched arms of Wilford.

“Being a young team, sometimes when we get scored on, mentally we phase out,” said third-year Wesmen head coach Amy Anderson. “To our credit, we kept at them and were a little more patient today.”

The two teams meet for the finale of the home-and-home series Saturday at noon at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @scottbilleck