Box Score
Box Score

Billings, Mont. – Montana State Billings women's soccer team is in unfamiliar territory. While playing well the past two games, they have found themselves on the opposite side of the scoreboard for the second consecutive time. Facing the No. 23 nationally ranked Western Washington Vikings Thursday afternoon in the first match of the annual MSUB Kicks Cancer event, the Yellowjackets were defeated 2-0.
 
In 2012, MSUB has never lost consecutive games until they dropped their match against Western Washington today. The Yellowjackets also lost to conference rival Seattle Pacific last Saturday, Oct. 13. Both programs hold top five rankings in the west region according to the NSCAA/Continental Tire Oct. 16 poll. Western Washington entered today's match at 12-2 overall and 9-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
 
While Katlyn Lokay took the first shot of the match for MSUB, the Vikings controlled possession for the majority of the game. Western Washington took four shots compared to the Jackets two attempts between the sixth and 30^th minute. Janae Remsberg's header attempt landed on goal but was saved by the Vikings' Jamie Arthurs.
 
Controlling possession and putting together numerous attacks would pay off for Western Washington, as Kim Cooper scored the first goal of the match with eight seconds left in the half. The Vikings held the early 1-0 advantage entering the break.


With momentum in hand Western Washington started their attack early in the second half taking 47^th and 51^st minute. Yellowjacket goal keeper Aiko Johnson came up with a nice save on Catherine Miles' attempt. Trying to even the score, Lokay and Jaucelyn Richter fired shots in the 52^nd and 54^th minutes but neither attempt would produce goals.
 
Shortly after Richter's shot on goal attempt, the Vikings would expand their lead to 2-0 in the 55^th minute. Brina Sych shot from 20 yards out to find the left side of the net for her fourth score of the season.
 
Even though they had a firm grasp of the lead, Western Washington did not let up defensively. They made it very difficult for the Jackets to attack consistently and MSUB only took three shot attempts after the 60^th minute. Neither shot landed on target and the Vikings went on to capture their 13^th victory of the season.
 
“While we aren't happy with the result, we battled hard and made it very difficult for them,” stated head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. “Hats off to them and their coach”
 
Johnson finished with four saves on the day. The Yellowjackets and Vikings both took 12 shots but Western Washington held the advantage in shots on target 6-3.
 
MSUB now sits at 11-4 overall and 7-4 in the GNAC. Their next contest on Saturday will be very significant for the Jackets, not only because it will be senior day for six players, but because it will also be a part of the 11^th Annual Futbol Frenzy. The Frenzy will be a double-header event in which both Yellowjacket soccer teams will square off against Simon Fraser University. MSUB's women's team will play the second match of the day at 3:30 p.m