They possessed the ball, they created sustained pressure, and they even hit a crossbar, but the UNBC Timberwolves Women's Soccer team couldn't find a way to put the ball in the back of the net, falling 3-0 to the Manitoba Bisons on Friday, September 15th, 2023 in Winnipeg, MB.
With both teams competing with soggy, messy conditions, the start of the match was a matter of the TWolves and Bisons finding their footing, figuratively and literally. Manitoba held a slight advantage in possession, but UNBC's backline did well to limit much in the way of significant chances or momentum.
The Bisons' best opportunity came in the 29th minute, when Chloe Morin gathered the ball at the top of the box, deked a UNBC defender, and sent a well-aimed shot towards the TWolves net. Brityn Hinsche was up to the task, snagging the attempt to keep the sheet clean midway through the half.
Manitoba would get on the board in the 38th minute when Janelle Chomini corralled a lovely Taryn Cabak cross and one-touched it past a sprawling Hinsche for her second gold of the season.
Despite Hinsche doing well to close the fort the remainder of the half, a stroke of bad luck would double the Manitoba advantage in the 45th minute. A cross into the box would deflect off UNBC defender Anna deWynter's head, bouncing into the wide open net past a helpless Hinsche.
Neil Sedgwick's team came out more assertive in the second half as substitutes Sidney Elliott and Celeste Kirkness presented Manitoba's defenders trouble with their speed and energy.
In the 50th minute, Terena Jagpal sprung a streaking Elliott who left it for Claire Turner at the tip of the Bison box. The fifth-year forward hammered it, but it went off the crossbar behind Karina Bagi and stayed out, keeping it a 2-nil game.
Manitoba would do well to push back create some chances in the UNBC third, though neither team was generating many Grade-A opportunities. Nicole Davis had the best look for Manitoba, but missed just high, while Kalista Kirkness had the best chance for the Timberwolves, but the hard-fought game was tough sledding.
UNBC continued to push late in the game, as Celeste Kirkness and Kjera Hayman created a number of turnovers deep in Bison territory. This led to sustained pressure for the green and gold, but the Twolves' offense stayed snake bitten.
Instead, it was the Bisons scoring at the other end, as Chomini located a loose ball off a free kick and put it off the cross bar and into the net behind Hinsche for her second of the match and third of the season.
When the referee blew the whistle, the Bisons had secured a 3-0 victory.
Celeste Kirkness was named Earls Road Warrior of the Game for her efforts, as the Timberwolves get set to visit the Winnipeg Wesmen on Saturday.
