SHERBROOKE, Que. – The Bishop's Gaiters women's soccer team had an eventful weekend that saw them play twice in three days against the Concordia Stingers and the UQAM Citadins in RSEQ University action. Bishop's won both games, beating the Stingers 2-1 and the Citadins 1-0 respectively.
 
The Gaiters travelled to Concordia on Friday to face the Stingers in the opening game of the season for both teams. Bishop's took the lead in the 17^th minute through a well-worked corner, finished off with a volley by Kim Fontes (Laval, Que.). The Gaiters doubled their lead in the 34^th minute, again from a corner, this time scored by Celeste Cavaliere (Vaughan, Ont.). In the second half, Bishop's defended their lead well thanks in large part to a number of fine breakaway saves by goalkeeper Molly Bucholtz (Peterborough, Ont.). The Stingers got on the board late to cut the lead in half through Eli Allard (Drummondville, Que.), but the Gaiters held on for the 2-1 win.
 
On Sunday, Bishop's hosted the UQAM Citadins in their home opener at Coulter Field. A back-and-forth first half saw both teams share scoring opportunities, but the Gaiters were the first to capitalize off a free-kick in the 42^nd minute. Emma Fingler (Burnaby, B.C.) whipped the set-piece into the box where it bounced around, before Cavaliere found Nicole Wierzbicki (Calgary, Alta.) who finished nicely from close range. The second half saw the score remain the same, however Bishop's was forced to defend a Citadins onslaught as the clock ticked away. When the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the game, the Gaiters celebrated their second win in as many games, a brilliant start to the season.
 
"It's been a humungous start for us, we needed those two wins to kick off the season on a positive note," said Head Coach Phil Ribaux after the home game against UQAM. "All of our girls worked extremely hard, they played exactly the way we've been practicing. We outworked the other team, had more composure on the ball and have been working hard on getting to the net as much as possible, which is how we scored our goal today."
 
The Gaiters travel to Montreal on Friday, September 13, to play the Montreal Carabins starting at 6:30 p.m. They return home to host the Laval Rouge et Or on Sunday, September 15, at Coulter Field. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
You can follow the undefeated Bishop's Gaiters women's soccer team throughout the season at www.gaiters.ca.
 
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Kyle Huson
Sports Information Writer