The University of Winnipeg Wesmen Women's Soccer team kicked off their 2015 with a narrow 1-0 loss against the UBC Okanagan Heat Friday night in Winnipeg.

Match Statistics

The match was scheduled to be played at the Winnipeg Soccer Complex but due to severe weather conditions the game was moved indoors to the Rec Plex on the University of Winnipeg campus.

Fifth year midfielder Michelle Smith scored the lone goal of the match in the 47th minute taking a long pass off a free kick from Justine Drosdovech to beat Wesmen goalkeeper Justina Jarmoszko.

The visiting Heat squad controlled the opening 10 minutes of the match getting several early scoring chances, including a shot by Drosdovech that rang off the crossbar. The teams showcased their defensive skills for the remainder of the half as the score was knotted at 0-0 at halftime.

Fifth year Wesmen midfielder Danielle Bulloch had a glorious chance to tie the score at the midway mark of the second half but Heat goalkeeper Joella Koblishke slid across to make a diving save to keep the Wesmen off the scoreboard.

Koblischke made three saves for the shutout. Jarmoszko made 11 saves in her CIS regular season debut.

"We started the game off pretty panicky with nerves and lacked composure I thought. We continued to give good effort and battled. However, to UBC Heat's credit they pressured us well  and they are a good side. Many of the first years were able to experience what CIS level is and understand the significant gap between club and University level.Our focus is now our game against Thompson River and learn from the game today", said Wesmen head coach Amy Anderson

Both teams will be in action on Saturday. Winnipeg (0-1) will take on the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack (0-1) at the Winnipeg Soccer Complex starting at 4:00 p.m. The Heat (1-0) will play the University of Manitoba Bisons (1-0).