Manitoba Bisons kicker Maya Turner hopes to break down barriers for women in sport

Maya Turner hopes her historic accomplishment will inspire other women who dream of kicking down barriers to play men's football at a high level.

Turner became the first woman to play and score in a regular-season U Sports football game on Saturday.

The University of Manitoba kicker made two field goals, including the game-winner in overtime, in the Bisons' 27-24 victory over the University of Regina Rams at IG Field in Winnipeg.

"It shows that if you want to play football on any team it can be done," Turner said in a phone call Sunday after team meetings.

"If you're good enough to compete at that level and you find a team that appreciates you for the athlete and the player that you are, you can achieve that.

"I think it helps seeing other women do it, just to see that it is possible."

WATCH | Maya Turner nails game-winning field goal in OT: 

Turner, from Maple Grove, Minn., made history with a 21-yard field goal in the second quarter to record her first points and give Manitoba a 3-2 lead.

Bisons head coach Brian Dobie also called her over and had a special congratulations for an achievement he'll never forget.

"It was one of those moments in time, it really was," said Dobie, who's been the school's head coach since 1996.

"I went over to her and I put my hands on her shoulders and we were inches apart and I'm looking at her and I just went, `Maya, I'm so happy for you. I'm so proud of you and I want you to know I'm saying that as the head coach of the university football team and I'm saying that as a father of a daughter. Good for you."'

WATCH | Turner kicks historic field goal: 

Then, with the homecoming game tied 24-24 in overtime, Turner booted another 21-yard field goal to give Manitoba the lead. The Bisons defence held tough and Rams kicker Andrew Sweeney missed a 45-yard field-goal attempt that sealed the win for Manitoba.

Turner was also good on all three converts for a total of nine points in the game that gave Manitoba its first win of the season (1-3) and dropped the Rams to 1-3.