WINNIPEG, Man. - In a chilly Saturday afternoon contest, the University of Manitoba Bisons women's soccer team played to a 0-0 tie against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Led by goalkeeper Kalin Roberts, Saskatchewan did not allow much on offense, while the Bisons were equally at task.

The Huskies came off strong at kick off. With the wind at their back, Manitoba frequently found themselves chasing the ball early. 

Saskatchewan's first opportunity came on a picked off pass back to the Bisons keeper Dyker, which was efficiently defended by the second-year player. 

Later in the half, Dyker came up big for the herd again. A volley from Huskies midfielder Jade Houmphanh required the Bisons netminder to dive across the goal, and punch the ball out of harms way. A second ball from Saskatchewan's Jenna Steacy also forced Manitoba's goalie to make a diving save. 

At the other end, Manitoba made the most of their limited possession time.  

Bisons captain Jessica Tsai had the herd's best chance in the first. A midair volley from the fifth year forward inside the goalkeeper's area was miraculously saved by Saskatchewan's Kalin Roberts who blocked the ball with her face. After briefly laying on the turf, she returned to her feet to rack up 4 saves in the half. 

Tsai continued to create offense for Manitoba but was unable to finish any of her chances. Meanwhile, Nyema Prentice Whyte had a couple good efforts, her best being a streaking shot that made it past Roberts but was cleared off the line by a Huskie defender. 

In the second, Saskatchewan once again hemmed Manitoba into their own end. Fortunately, Bisons defended well against the Huskies forwards. Steady play on the back end helped create some brief pressure for the Bisons.

Manitoba's best chance came from second year midfielder Mia Fonseca. She sent a header right on net, but Roberts once again made the difficult save. 

Back and forth play dominated the rest of the half, with the score still tied 0-0 in stoppage time. With four extra minutes on the clock Saskatchewan yielded a free kick ten meters outside the box, giving Manitoba one last opportunity to take the lead. 

Off the ensuing kick, Tsai passed the ball to Bison defender Amra Becirovic. One-on-one against a huskie player, Becirovic worked it low then made a deceptive move that gave her room to make a play. Unfortunately, the first-year player's chip floated just over the net, nullifying Manitoba's last shot at victory. 

The Bisons offensive efforts were quickly shifted to defense as Saskatchewan immediately moved the ball down field with less than a minute left in stoppage time for one last crack at Manitoba's net. 

On the Huskies most dangerous chance of the half, Dyker made a point blank save on the goal line to rob the go-ahead-goal from Saskatchewan, garnering cheers from the sideline and bleachers. 

After the ensuing free kick went wide, the final whistle blew, meaning Manitoba had earned a point for the third game in a row. 

After making a game saving stop to preserve the 0-0 tie, an exhausted Dyker remarked she was just trying to push through the final minute.

Even though Dyker came up big for the herd, she applauded her teammates performance. The Bisons limited Saskatchewan to only 6 shots on net, helping keep Canada West's third leading goal scorer Alyssa D'Agnone pointless.

Dyker wanted to bring that energy once again for Sunday's final regular season match, especially for the Bison's four graduating players.

Sunday's game will be the last for Tsai, Janelle Chomini, Camilla Goldsztein, and Alexandria Paul. Bisons head coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas admitted it would be an emotional match for the team. 

Tsai and Paul have been with the Bisons since 2019, Chomini has suited up in 42 games for the herd, while Goldsztein scored the game winning goal in Manitoba's first game back after the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the 2020 season.   

Saskatchewan will face the University of Winnipeg Wesmen in their final match of the season at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex.