WINNIPEG \u2013 The Manitoba Bisons and Saskatchewan Huskies wrapped up homecoming Saturday with a thriller at Princess Auto Stadium. In a game that went down to the wire, the Huskies held on for a 2-1 win, capitalizing when given the chance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The game-winning goal was scored by Marie Kilcher in the 85th minute off a corner kick. It was the third goal scored on a set piece by the visitors over the two-game set.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
With the win, Saskatchewan improved to 4-4 while Manitoba fell to 0-7-1.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Saskatchewan is a really good team. What they do so well is not just about controlling the ball, it’s about controlling space. They turn one attack into two or three just by controlling the territory. I felt between the two games I thought our defending low was really good,” said Bisons head coach Mark Colvin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“It was just tough for us at times to get some territory and establish our attack, but from a defensive standpoint I thought we did a great job defending low, it’s just on set pieces, we conceded three corner kick goals over the course of the weekend.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was a defensive battle in the first half. The Huskies had just four shots, and they kept the Herd from recording a tally on net.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bisons goalie Holy Dyker was in strong position to deny a few dangerous chances as the half progressed, including opportunities in the 35thand 42nd minutes for the visitors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
On those occasions \u2013 crosses into the box from Cheyenne Lehmann to Isabelle Lachance, as well as a cross from Lachance \u2013 Dyker was right where she needed to be to cover up the ball.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Saskatchewan’s best opportunity of the half came in the 41st, as Daraida Sutherland boomed a shot from 30 yards out on a free kick, but it sailed just over the crossbar.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Manitoba had a solid look 35 minutes in, as Sarina Mann<\/a> stole possession away near centre field and had Taleesa Minnaar<\/a> with her, however the chance near the area was steered away by the Huskies.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dyker made two incredible saves early in the second half to keep Sask off the board.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The first came in the opening minute, as Alyssa D’Agnone blasted a chance from in the area, but Dyker raised up, getting her hand on the ball to put it over the crossbar.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Dyker, who made five saves overall, pulled clutch again in the 61st, once again getting her outstretched hand on a quality chance from scoring range, this time denying Cassidy Vieira.\u00a0<\/p>\n Four minutes later, the Huskies got on the board.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n After a scramble, Jenna Steacy got her boot on the ball from 25 yards out, and her shot was re-directed in by Alyssa D’Agnone, who got just enough of the re-direct to place it into the open net.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Kilcher added the game-winner on a corner, as the Huskies took advantage late when they had the chance.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Herd pushed back, showing a no-quit attitude to press the issue and get on the board.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n