Golf
The U of M golf team is off to a flying start, winning back-to-back team titles through their first two tournaments of the 2013 fall season.
On August 30-31, the team participated in the 2013 Concordia Invite two-day tournament at Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead, MN. Fifth-year Bison athlete Josh Wytinck secured the individual title by shooting a 134 (65-69). Teammate Scott Mazur also had a great weekend, as he set a new Bison record for lowest score in an individual round with a 62. Manitoba finished first amongst five competing teams with a total score of 562 (273-289) and -14 on the Par-72 course.
The Bisons followed up that victory with another great showing Sept. 7-8 at the 2013 Augsburg Fall Invitational two-day tournament, held at Majestic Oaks Golf Course in Ham Lake, MN. Wytinck and teammate Charlie Boyechko were co-winners of the individual title. They both shot 144, securing a two-stroke victory over the field of 89 golfers. As a team, the Bisons finished first among the 16 other teams competing. The team dominated, shooting 581 (292-289) and winning by 35 strokes over the team in second place.
“We are very excited with our start to the year. The scores that the team has been shooting are really impressive,” says Bison golf head coach Garth Goodbrandson.
“We have had some great teams over the years but none that have produced numbers like this year. The hard work and preparation is really showing in our results early this season.”
Soccer
The Bison women’s soccer team travelled to Alberta this past weekend. They played the Calgary Dinos Sept. 14 and the Lethbridge Pronghorns Sept. 15.
The Bisons grabbed the lead against the Dinos in the 12th minute. Manitoba defender Courtney Addison collected a cross from the corner and put it past Calgary goalkeeper Lauren Good. It was the only shot on goal for the Bisons in the half, as the Dinos dominated play on the other end of the field with eight shots on Bison goaltender Martina Arran.
In the second half, the Bisons let the Dinos even the score on a Tessa Miller penalty kick in the 47th minute.
The Bisons had a few glorious chances to take the lead midway through the second half. Laura Stewart had a shot, but missed wide. Moments later, Selina Speranza hit the crossbar. That was as close to victory as the Bisons would get. Calgary scored in the 79th minute and again in the 86th. Final score: 3-1 Dinos.
The following day, the Bisons and Pronghorns played to a 0-0 tie. Both teams entered the game still looking for their first win of the season, but neither could find the back of the net. With the tie, both teams’ records sit at 0-3-1.
Volleyball
The Bison men’s volleyball team will have a new head coach for the 2013-14 season, as Garth Pischke takes a six-month leave of absence beginning at the end of September. Interim head coach Cam Johnson and assistant coach Ryan Ratushniak will coach the team through the upcoming season.
Johnson has considerable coaching experience at the high school and provincial levels. He has 13 years of experience as coach of the Collège Jeanne-Sauvé varsity boys volleyball team. His coaching credentials also include successful stints with Team Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg.
Ratshuniak brings a wealth of coaching experience, having coached over 30 teams from 2002-2013. He’s coached at club, provincial, and college levels, and was also the athletic director at Red River College in 2005, where he started up the men’s volleyball program.
“I’m excited to be part of the Bison Volleyball program once again and the tradition of excellence that has been established here,” says Ratushniak. “This year’s team is young but very motivated so it will be a very exciting season!”
