BILLINGS, Mont. -- The Montana State Billings women's soccer squad opens their Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule this weekend as they travel to Saint Martin's University and Western Oregon University Thursday and Saturday, respectively.
The Yellowjackets (3-1-0) finished the non-conference schedule with a 3-1 record and slit last week after a 1-0 victory over Rocky Mountain College, and then suffering their first loss of the season with a 2-1 overtime loss at the University of Mary.
MSUB has been led by sophomore
Heidi Greenback with her four goals and two assists this season. She ranks 39
th in the country with 2.5 points per game and is 20
th in total points with 10. Three other players,
Jaucelyn Richter,
Amanda Brusic and
Kristen Kastelic have also registered goals this season.
The Yellowjacket defense currently ranks tops in the conference for goals against average at 0.498 and are ranked 29th in the nation in the category. The Jackets also rank 10th nationally in shutout percentage, at 0.75.
MSUB has scored seven goals this season, while just surrendering two and have outshot their opponents 62-24 with a 34-13 edge in shots on goal. The Jackets are scoring 1.75 goals scored per game, while opponents are scoring at a 0.50 clip.
Goalkeeper
Danielle Gordon has recorded three shutouts already this season and has a 0.50 goals against average. Her 11 saves give her a .846 save percentage, which is second in the conference. She leads the conference in goals against average and ranks 35
th.
The Saints enter Thursday's match with a 0-2-2 record on the year and are coming off a pair ties against Nebraska-Omaha (1-1) and Northwest (2-2).
Saint Martin's has three players that have scored their three goals this season; Nicole Nedervelt, Hanna Massee and Sammi Thompson have each scored this year. The Saints have just one assist on the year, coming from Clarissa Strayer.
The Saints are shooting .083 as a team, while opponents are shooting .090 and are outshooting the Saints 67-36 in total shots. Opponents are also taking more corner kicks then the Saints, holding a 20-8 edge.
In goal, Gina Cardenas has started all four matches and holds a 0-2-1 record with 16 saves and a 1.77 goals against average. Sharing the duties with Cardenas are Hanna Wade and Ashley Engel. Wade has the other decision, a tie, making one save, while Engel has made 13, but has not factored in a decision.
The Wolves bring in a 1-2-1 record overall this season, and are coming off a 0-0 tie with Concordia (Ore.) last week.
Monique Thees has recorded the Wolves lone goal this season, while Taylor Thompson had the assist. Marina Austin leads the team in shots with eight, but has not converted on any of her chances.
The Wolves are taking eight shots on average per game and have been outshot 45-32 in total shots. Opponents have taken 16 shots on goal, while the Wolves had fired 15 on target this sesason. WOU keeper Brittney Rigtrup has factored in every decision this year and has made 14 saves for a .875 save percentage.
The Yellowjackets and Saints will kick-off on Thursday at 2 p.m., while the match on Saturday against the Wolves will kick-off at 11 a.m.
