WINNIPEG - University of Saskatchewan striker Jenelle Zapski recorded a hat trick to lift the Huskies to a 3-1 victory over the University of Manitoba Bisons Saturday in Winnipeg.

The visitors opened up the first half of the match dominating the time of possession with controlled, accurate passes, but failed to find any openings in the Bisons defense. The Huskies applied pressure early, forcing Manitoba to pass the ball back to their defenders or turn the ball over completely.

BOX SCORE

By the 15 minute mark of the match, Saskatchewan started to break down Manitoba's defense, but any shots they took either sailed away from the net or were blocked by the Herd. Manitoba looked poised to score off a Camille Plett breakaway, but her kick went just wide of the net. The shot attempt lifted Manitoba's spirits, who were struggling offensively thus far, but the Huskies finally found their opening and scored.

At the 27 minute mark, Huskies midfielder Gillian Pinder found third year Zapski at the top of the penalty area and sent a kick flying above Bisons keeper Martina Arran and into the net. The goal seemed to light a spark in Manitoba, who found themselves with a few more offensive chances, but Saskatchewan eventually regained control of the time of possession and scored again.

After a corner kick from Saskatchewan's Meagan Manson, Zapski got a second chance off a header and found the back of the net for her second goal of the match at the 45 minute mark to send the Huskies into the half with a 2-0 lead.

Saskatchewan started the second half of the match right where they left off, and at the 50 minute mark, Zapski completed the hat-trick after a cross pass from Carmen Gorlick in the middle of the penalty area. She knows has already four goals scored in two conference games in 2014.

Manitoba finally got on the board at the 66 minute mark after rookie Bruna Mavignier extended her point streak to three games (counting pre-season) with a goal from a Kaylan Strang assist. With 20 minutes left in the match, the Bisons made a push, but a series of impressive saves by Huskies keeper Kyleigh Vause thwarted the Bisons' chances of a comeback.

With the loss, the Manitoba Bisons drop to 1-1 on the season while the Saskatchewan Huskies improve to 2-0. Saskatchewan has now beaten Manitoba six conference games in a row to tie their overall record against the Bisons at 6-6 during ten Canada West seasons.

Saskatchewan returns home to host the Mount Royal Cougars on September 13.