BILLINGS, Mont. – On an extremely hot afternoon at Yellowjacket Field, the Montana State Billings women's soccer team was unable to shut down the striking attack of Rocky Mountain College, falling 3-0 late Saturday afternoon in the Jackets' second exhibition game of the season.

“We obviously have a long way to go before we take on the defending Pac West champions September 3,” said head coach Don Trentham. “Rocky manhandled us all game long at every position. We have to get better up front, in the middle, and along the backline to have a chance in any game. Our leadership also has to improve along with everything else.”

Instead of playing the typical two 45 minute halves, coaches from both sides decided on three 30 minute periods due to the heat on the field, which rose to over 100 degrees.

The first session saw the most action as the Battlin' Bears kept constant pressure on the Yellowjacket backline, firing off six shots during the session and scoring twice on Yellowjacket keeper, Danielle Gordon (Atkins, IA, Iowa Western CC). Yellowjacket keepers were tested just five times as Rocky tallied 10 total shots.

The first goal of the match came off a throw-in by Allie Beckers as she got the ball to Kristy Montignani who dribbled the ball into the box and fired a shot just inside the lower part of the near post to give Rocky the 1-0 lead. Montignani's goal was followed shortly by Shelby Wallach, as she took the ball and lofted a high shot over Gordon's head for the second goal.

Trentham took an opportunity in the second session to play freshman Sabrina Grandke-Bawab (Kirkland, WA, Juanita HS) between the pipes, and also gave other players an opportunity to step up and audition for playing time in the regular season. Again the pressure from Rocky's forward and midfield didn't allow the Jackets to get comfortable, as Beckers got a feed from Lauren Brophy and put the ball in the back of the net from 14 yards out.

The Yellowjackets defense clamped down in the final 15 minutes of the second session and didn't allow a shot on goal in the third session.

Offensively, MSUB had plenty of chances to score but were stoned twice by great saves from Brittany Knudtzon. The Jackets did put the ball in late in the third session, but for the second game in a row, had the goal taken off the board by an offside call.

For the game, MSUB tallied 16 shots and had nine on goal, while Rocky took 10 total with three on goal. The Yellowjackets took eight corner kicks and held the Battlin' Bears to three.