Less than a week after winning a playoff spot against the Calgary Dinos, the Bison women’s soccer team were back in action for a playoff match against the host UBC Thunderbirds. The herd played a hard game, but could not get through the UBC defence, falling 2-0.
The game was all Thunderbirds in the first half. UBC controlled the possession game and kept the Bisons hemmed in their end, directing eight shots towards the goal in the first 20 minutes of play.
UBC got on the board first in the 14th minute, as Jasmin broke into the Bisons zone and pulled off a slight deke to get a clear angle on goal. Dhanda fired a shot low and right, beating Bison goalkeeper Maddie Wilford.
Dhanda and Wilford went head-to-head the entire first half. There were six shots taken by the forward, but she was only able to get one by the Bison keeper.
The Thunderbirds extended the lead further in the 42nd minute, thanks to Rachel Jones. A scramble ensued in front of the Manitoba goal after an initial shot by Jones was stopped. She managed to find her own rebound and put it past Wilford for the 2-0 lead.
UBC followed this up with three shots in the final minutes of the half, but Wilford stood tall to keep her team in the game. The Bisons were unable to get much offence going in the first half and could not register a shot.
The Bisons were able to get some time in the UBC end in the second half, as Amanda Wong tested UBC keeper Marlee Maracle in the 65th minute for the Bisons first shot of the contest. However, this was all the team could get from the stingy UBC defence, falling 2-0.
The Thunderbirds advance to the semifinals and are back on the pitch Saturday for a chance to play for the championship. The Bisons will return home after a great playoff match, with strong promise for the 2017 season.
