SASKATOON, SASK. – A hard fought match between the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and the University of Manitoba Bisons ended in a scoreless draw Sunday afternoon at Griffiths Stadium in PotashCorp Park.
Both teams battled the elements as cold temperatures, wind and heavy rain set in for the entire match.
The Huskies generated the majority of the scoring chances in the match, but could not find a way to beat Bison keeper Madison Wilford. Wilford made nine saves in the match for Manitoba.
The Huskies moved their record to 6-3-3 with the draw, while Manitoba's record sits at 3-6-3 entering the final weekend of the season. With the tie, the Huskies clinch a home playoff date in the quarter-final round. Saskatchewan sits tied for second with MacEwan with 21 points on the campaign. With the single point, the Bisons now find themselves in a three-way tie for fourth win Winnipeg and Regina at 12 points.
Saskatchewan put 18 shots toward the Manitoba goal with nine hitting the target. The Bisons had four shots in the match, with Kyleigh Vause making both saves on the two shots on goal.
Erica Hindmarsh had four shots on goal for Saskatchewan with Rebecca Weckworth adding another three.
Perhaps the best chance for the Huskies came in the 30th minute when Leesa Eggum found Weckworth with a quick pass into the box. Weckworth's hard shot to the bottom left corner was stopped by a diving Wilford and bounced harmlessly wide.
Just before the half, the Huskies would counter on a Manitoba corner with a potential two-on-one. The Manitoba defender was able to disrupt the direction of the Huskie pass to eliminate the opportunity.
Manitoba's closest scoring chance came just before the whistle for halftime. Selina Speranza broke in behind the Huskie back line, but her shot sailed high over a challenging Kyleigh Vause.
The Huskies looked to jump ahead early in the second half. A scramble in front of the Manitoba goal nearly ended up on the foot of Leesa Eggum before it bounced through the area. As a result of the pressure the Huskies earned a free kick from just outside the box. Weckworth's kick deflected off the crossbar in the 57th minute.
Ten minutes later it was Hindmarsh's turn to step up to the ball on a free kick from the top of the box. Her kick curved around the wall, but again Wilford was there to make the diving save.
Saskatchewan will wrap up the 2016 conference schedule with a trip out West with visits to the UBCO Heat and the Thompson Rivers WolfPack. Manitoba will close the regular season at home when they host the UBC Thunderbirds and Victoria Vikes next weekend.