Bianca Cavalcanti Leads Bisons to Dramatic Comeback Victory

The Manitoba Bisons didn’t just steal a win in Lethbridge on Sunday. They tore up the script.

Down 2-0 with less than 10 minutes to play, staring at a winless conference start and a weekend sweep at the hands of the Lethbridge Pronghorns, Manitoba erupted for three goals in a furious late surge to claim a 3-2 victory at Community Stadium.

For interim head coach Fabio Capone, it was his first win in charge. For the Bisons, it was a statement about who they intend to be this season.

From flat to frantic

The afternoon started in familiar, frustrating fashion for Manitoba. Lethbridge drew first blood in the 25th minute and carried that 1-0 lead into halftime, controlling the tempo and keeping the Bisons chasing the game.

When the Pronghorns doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute, the hosts looked comfortable and in command. Manitoba, coming off a 2-1 loss to the same opponent on Saturday, seemed headed for another narrow, empty-handed effort.

Then the match flipped.

Cavalcanti takes over

The Bisons finally broke through in the 81st minute. Bianca Cavalcanti found the net to slice the deficit to 2-1, a lifeline that changed the energy on the pitch and on the visitors’ bench.

Lethbridge barely had time to reset. Just over two minutes later, Cavalcanti struck again, pulling Manitoba level at 2-2 and turning a quiet road game into a full-blown siege.

Now the Bisons were the ones driving play. The Pronghorns, who had spent more than 70 minutes in control, suddenly looked rattled as wave after wave of white shirts poured forward.

The pressure told in the 88th minute. Cavalcanti completed a stunning hat trick, smashing home the winner to complete a three-goal blitz in under seven minutes and flip 2-0 down into 3-2 up.

Every Manitoba goal belonged to her. Every ounce of belief that followed, she helped spark.

Behind her, goalkeeper Bridget Murphy did her part, locking down the final moments to secure the victory in goal.

A first win, and a turning point?

For Capone, the result carried weight beyond the standings.

“This one means a little more than just a result. There have been a lot of challenges, lessons and moments behind the scenes that have made this journey so meaningful. I'm incredibly proud of this group and grateful to be part of their journey. This is only one chapter. The story continues to be written. And the best part is, we're writing it together. One training, one game, one moment at a time. This group is starting to believe in what we can become and I couldn't be prouder to be on this journey with them,” he said from the road after the win.

The Bisons leave Lethbridge with a split of the weekend series, but more importantly with momentum and a clear sense of identity: resilient, dangerous late, and starting to believe.

Next, they bring that belief home. Homecoming kicks off at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at Princess Auto Stadium, with free entry for all fans.

If this comeback is any indication, the Herd is giving them every reason to show up.