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BILLINGS, Mont. – A goal in the 64th minute by Sammi Thompson proved to be the game-winner as Saint Martin's University slipped past the 23rd ranked Yellowjackets of Montana State Billings 3-2 Saturday afternoon at Yellowjacket Field in Billings.
The Yellowjackets fell to 7-2-1 overall and 4-2-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with the loss. The result snapped a four game winning streak for the Yellowjackets and was the first loss at home this season.
With the win, the Saints improved to 2-8-1 overall and 1-5-0 in the conference. The win was the first for the Saints since Sept. 10, against Dominican University.
“Despite the result today I thought we played a good game,” said head coach Don Trentham. “We were able to create a lot of chances and did some good stuff, but we just didn't come out with the intensity and focus that Saint Martin's did. As I said, we did do a lot of good things by controlling the ball, but I have to take responsibility for not having our team ready and focused for this match.”
Saint Martin's got on the board early in the 10th minute as Jill Webb scored her sixth goal on the season, taking a Jenny Baker cross from the left side of the pitch and put the ball past MSUB keeper, Sabrina Grandke-Bawab (Kirkland, WA, Juanita HS).
The Saints again struck in the 22nd minute with an unassisted goal from Kayci Donatelli as she found a deflected ball in the box and put it in the lower left side for her first goal of the season.
The Yellowjackets finally broke through in the 32nd minute of the first half. Senior Carly Valentine (Vancouver, WA, Skyview HS) controlled the ball outside of the 18 yard box and made a turn on the ball, firing a shot with her left boot that sailed past a diving Gina Cardenas for her first goal of the season. The goal was unassisted.
After making halftime adjustments, the Yellowjackets got an equalizer in the 53rd minute when Kari Foreman (Lakewood, CO, Bear Creek HS) went one-on-one with Cardenas, having her first shot blocked but stayed with the play and put the loose ball into the net for a 2-2 tie.
But the Saints would have the last word as Thompson took a deflected ball off the hands of Jordan Fenwick (Boise, ID, Boise HS) and seized the moment with a shot into the upper right corner of the goal. It was Thompson's first goal of the season, while Noell Bauer got credit for the assist.
The Yellowjackets fell despite holding a distinct advantage in all statistical categories, 17-8 in total shots, 13-5 in shots on goal and 9-2 on the corners.
Fenwick took the loss, falling to 2-2-0 on the season, but made two saves. Grandke-Bawab, who started the match for the Jackets, had zero saves and allowed two goals. Cardenas upped her record to 2-8-0 on the season after making 11 saves.
The Yellowjackets will have a short week coming up, playing just one game on Saturday, Oct. 9, at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. That match is scheduled for a 12 p.m. kickoff.
