Box Score
Box Score

Billings, Mont. – Montana State Billings women's soccer team hit the road this week to play their final two regular season games. Facing of in their rematch against Western Oregon University Thursday afternoon, the Yellowjackets were edged by two first half Wolves' goals.
 
MSUB and Western Oregon started off evenly in the contest, with the Yellowjackets holding the slight 3-2 advantage in shot attempts within the first 24 minutes of play. Chelsea Shuman had the only attempt to land on target for MSUB, but the attempt was saved by Wolves' goal keeper Hillary Lutz. One of Western Oregon's shots also was on goal, but Aiko Johnson denied the attempt.
 
The match would take a sudden turn in the 25^th minute, as the Wolves attack forced the Jackets defense into giving them a corner kick. At 25:44 Lindsey Bauman put the ball in play and Marina Austin knocked in a header to give Western Oregon the early 1-0 lead.
 
Following a foul that shifted possession back to the Wolves, Western Oregon will deal another crucial blow in the match. In the 32^nd minute Bauman blasted a shot from the top of the box to find the left of the goal to give the Wolves a commanding 2-0 advantage. Danielle Hayward was credited with the assist.
 
Even though they were ahead two goals, Western Oregon did not take their foot off the gas pedal. They took two more shots to close the half. Both attempts had no effect as they landed off target. The Yellowjackets were out of sync offensively and did not take any shots after Shuman's attempt at 23:30. MSUB was outshot by their opposition 6-3 in the half and entered the intermission down 2-0.
 
The Yellowjackets' tempo was much higher at the start of the second half. From the opening kick to the 62^nd minute they took five shots compared to the Wolves one attempt. Only Whitney Siler's header attempt at 51:49 was on target however, but the shot on goal attempt was saved by Lutz.
 
Feeling a lot of offensive pressure by MSUB, Western Oregon countered with three shots between the 64^th and 72^nd minute. Only one attempt landed on goal but did not increase their lead as Johnson came up with a save on the play. Adrienne Biglow and Jaucelyn Richter took shot attempts during this period but both attempts were blocked by Wolves' defenders.
 
Richter remained in rhythm and took two more attempts at 72:12 and 74:50, with her shot at 72:12 landing on target. She could not find the net as Lutz made another save on the day.
 
Following a foul on Western Oregon at 79:41, the Yellowjackets received a penalty kick. Heidi Greenback successfully completed the play bringing MSUB within one of their opposition, as she scored her eighth goal of the season.
 
Now with the score at 2-1 MSUB had the necessary momentum to make a push to deadlock the score. MSUB had two corner kicks in the closing minutes of the half but could not capitalize on their opportunities. Western Oregon went on to win the match, sweeping the Yellowjackets this season.
 
MSUB ended up outshooting their counterpart 13-12, but the Wolves held the shot on target advantage 5-4. Johnson made her 17^th consecutive start and registered three saves on the day.
 
The Yellowjackets are now 12-5 overall and 8-5 in the GNAC. They will travel to Lacey, Wash. to play their final regular season game against Saint Martin's University on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).