DAVID LARKINS, Wesmen Athletics

The Winnipeg Wesmen attempt to play spoiler to their nearest rivals fell a few minutes short Thursday.

Nicole Davis scored in the 72nd minute and the Manitoba Bisons pulled out a 1-0 Canada West conference women's soccer victory at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex. 

The win moved the Bisons to two points back of Regina for the second and final playoff spot in the East Division with Saturday's season finale on deck at U of M. Regina plays a home-and-home with first-place Saskatchewan Friday and Sunday.

Save for a shot off the bar in the second half and a few threatening but ultimately unproductive moments in the attacking third, the Bisons controlled possession but were held at bay for the most part. They put seven shots on Wesmen keeper Taryn Raabe, who finished with six saves.

"We went in with a game plan and the players executed it," Wesmen head coach Amy Anderson said. "And I think the players played really well. Our theme of all year is our quality in the box and that just keeps coming up."

The Wesmen put a point of emphasis on marking striker Bianca Cavalcanti, who leads the Bisons with eight goals in 10 games coming in. Freshman Rachel Bridle, making her first career start, drew the assignment and the Brazilian was held to just one shot on goal. 

"We have first years stepping up and who are playing well," Anderson said. "I think the players represented the program well today. We came off a game against Regina where we played poorly (on Sunday) and to come back after that is (a good sign)."

The Wesmen will wrap up their season on Saturday and it will be the final match for fourth-year team captain Chantal Boulet, who will be honoured by the team after the final whistle. 

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