Box Score
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Senior Kari Foreman (Lakewood, CO, Bear Creek HS) scored the game-winning goal in the 59th minute to help the Montana State Billings women's soccer team pull off arguably the biggest win in program history Saturday afternoon against 20th ranked Western Washington University at Orca Field in Bellingham. The win snapped the Vikings 14 game unbeaten streak, which dated back into the 2009 season.
The Yellowjackets improved to 6-1-1 overall on the season and 3-1-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. The win also brought the Jackets into a tie for second place in the conference standings.
The Vikings, who were 20th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) national poll, fell to 6-1-1 on the year and are now 3-1-0 in the conference. It was the first loss to the Yellowjackets in 10 meetings (1-8-1).
“I'm really happy and excited for our players and our program,” said Yellowjackets coach Don Trentham. “The team worked hard this off season and has continued to work hard during the season. This is a good victory for the program, but it's still early in the season and we have a long way to go. But I'm excited with the win and the way the road trip went with two wins over ranked opponents and we have to thank our fans for the support as they were tremendous in coming out to the games the past two weeks.”
Foreman gave the Yellowjackets the lead after Andrea Baytaluke (Calgary, Alberta, Central Memorial HS) fired a shot on goal, but Vikings keeper, Jamie Arthurs, was unable to handle the ball and Foreman was there to put it in the back of the net. The goal was Foreman's third of the season and Baytaluke's second assist.
“Kari (Foreman) was in the right place at the right time,” said Trentham about the goal. “Andrea (Baytaluke) was able to make something out of nothing and made a great shot. After the keeper bobbled it, we were able to knock it in. We've talked about finishing out chances and we did that today.”
Baytaluke led the way in shots for the Jackets, taking six total and three on goal. Jaucelyn Richter (Billings, MT, Billings Senior HS) added four shots, while Jennifer Larsen (Mesa, AZ, Mountain View HS) took two. Foreman and Samantha Sandau (Billings, MT, Billings West HS) each had one, both on goal.
The Yellowjackets held a 14-13 edge on shots and a 5-4 edge on shots on goal. Both squads were even on corner kicks with four apiece.
Freshman goalkeeper, Sabrina Grandke-Bawab (Kirkland, WA, Juanita HS), made four saves against the Vikings to record her second-straight shutout and improve her record to 4-0-1 on the year. The Yellowjackets now have three shutouts on the season.
“Defensively, we had just a fantastic team game defending as a team,” continued Trentham. “Our back line and goalkeeping has been great this season. We did a good job of taking Western out of their game plan.”
The Vikings were paced by the conference scoring leader, Claire Morgan, who tallied four shots, two on goal. Three other Vikings tallied a pair of shots, only one was on goal. Arthurs made four saves on five shots on goal.
The Yellowjackets are back on the home pitch this Thursday, Sept. 30, to take on the Western Oregon Wolves at 2 p.m. The Yellowjackets are also scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2, at 3:30 p.m. against the Saints of Saint Martin's for Futbol Frenzy and the honoring of the 15th anniversary team.
