DAVID LARKINS, Wesmen Athletics

A second-half surge fell short for the Winnipeg Wesmen Saturday at the University of Manitoba. 

The Manitoba Bisons scored two second-half goals and added a third for insurance late in the match to drop the Wesmen women's soccer team 3-1 in a Canada West conference match. 

The win kept the Bisons playoff hopes alive with the team now needing a Regina loss to Saskatchewan on Sunday to get in as the second East Division team. 

Bianca Cavalcanti's header in the 39th minute proved the game-winner and Nicole Davis added a goal in the 76th after the Wesmen had pulled to with one.

The Wesmen carried much of the play and were the aggressors during the second half, ultimately getting rewarded when Tia Lecox was pulled down in the box in the 63rd minute. Karrisa Schneider stepped to the spot for the penalty kick and put her second goal of the season past Karina Bagi to make it 2-1. 

Lecox had a quality opportunity shortly after when she was set free on the right side and slid a shot past Bagi but wide of goal in the 72nd minute. 

The Wesmen also had a close call from fifth-year senior Chantal Boulet, who first-timed a strike from 30 yards out that hit the bar. 

Taryn Raabe made 12 saves for the Wesmen and for the second straight season finished atop the country in saves with 101. 

Bagi made five stops for the Bisons. 

—#REPTHEW—