SASKATOON — The Winnipeg Wesmen struck first but couldn't hold off one of the class programs in the Canada West Friday night.

Alyssa D'Agnone scored two goals, including one from the penalty spot, and the Saskatchewan Huskies defeated the Wesmen 3-1 in the Canada West conference openers for both teams. 

The Wesmen were able to get on the sheet first when second-year midfielder Jazmyn Castro swung a corner kick in untouched in the 25th minute. The corner eluded the reach of Huskies keeper Hannah Lytle and hit the back corner for Castro's first career conference goal.

The Wesmen held that edge into the second half, but the Huskies were able to pull level on Payton Izsak's goal in the 52nd minute. From there, things went south for the Wesmen. 

In the 73rd minute, D'Agnone went on a lengthy run and hit a shot from distance that just snuck by the reach of Wesmen keeper Taryn Raabe in the bottom right corner. Two minutes later, the Wesmen were called for a penalty in the box, and D'Agnone scored in the same corner, beating Raabe, who guessed right, but was unable to get a hand on the ball. 

The Huskies looked destined to open the scoring in the 12th minute when D'Agnone was sent free with a through ball past the Winnipeg back line. Raabe came out to challenge, but D'Agnone avoided her and had a wide open goal to shoot to. But freshman Grace Klassen, making her first career start, came from well back to slide in and knock the ball off the line with what was undoubtedly the defensive play of the game. 

Castro led the Wesmen with three shots, two on target. Raabe finished the night with four saves.

The Wesmen will continue conference play Saturday when they head to Regina to take on the Cougars. The Cougars were in action against Manitoba Friday night but that game was suspended due to weather just 16 minutes in to the match. The Cougars and Bisons will resume on Sunday at U of R.