Billings, Mont. – The fall season has enjoyed great soccer from Montana State Billings men's and women's soccer programs. Starting the season 9-0 and reaching a No. 23 ranking in the Sept. 25 NSCAA/Continental Tire national rankings, the Yellowjacket women came one game shy of tying the program's 10 game winning streak record. MSUB men are also playing great and are off to its best start since 2007 and are currently on a two game win streak.
 
Women's Soccer
 
As the Yellowjackets entered the midpoint of their season, they had the challenge of keeping their winning streak alive while facing two solid programs on their home turf. With an 8-0 overall record, MSUB traveled to Burnaby, British Columbia to square off against Simon Fraser University.
 
The Jackets passed this test, defeating the Clan 2-0 bringing their record to 9-0. Heidi Greenback and Jaucelyn Richter each had a goal in Thursday's match.
 
On the verge of tying the school's record for consecutive wins, MSUB trekked into Bellingham, Wash. to compete with Western Washington University. Saturday's contest was an aberration from the previous nine games as the Yellowjackets gave up more than one goal and were outshot in shots on goal. The Vikings defeated MSUB and ended their winning streak. In the most recent NSCAA/Continental Tire west region poll, Western Washington received the No. 5 ranking.
 
Richter and junior Whitney Siler turned in great performances over the weekend and earned GNAC Red Lion Player-of-the-Week honorable mention honors.
 
MSUB will be looking to bounce back in this week's matchups. On Thursday, Oct. 4 the Yellowjackets will welcome Northwest Nazarene into the Magic City for their second game of the 2012 series. In their first contest in Nampa, Idaho MSUB downed the Crusaders 1-0.

 
The Jackets defense will have to pay special attention to Jenny Field and Sarah Staropoli who have combined for nine goals and five assists on the year. Game time for this event will start at 3:30 p.m.
 
On Saturday, Oct. 6 MSUB will battle the Wolves from Western Oregon University who are currently ranked 4-5-1 overall and 2-3-1 in the GNAC. The Yellowjackets offense will look to take advantage of the Wolves defense who have given up 14 goals this season.
 
“After a tough result versus a very good Western Washington team, we are ready to get back on track and to our winning ways,” head coach Wojtek Krakowiak said. “We've had a very good week of training where the intensity has been up and the focus has been precise. Northwest Nazarene made it difficult for us last time we played, so we know we're in for a battle. Western Oregon is equally solid, so we know they can play with anyone on any given day. As always in the GNAC, anything can happen and there are no easy games.”
 
 
 

Men's Soccer
 
The men's depth, talent and experience have allowed them to win four out of their six contests on the road. Their overall 6-2-1 record registered has one of the best starts under eighth year head coach Dan McNally.
 
After battling Seattle Pacific University, the then No. 2 nationally ranked team, to a two overtime 0-0 draw on Sept. 22, MSUB continues to build on recent success. Heading east to Sioux Falls, S.D. this past Thursday the Jackets looked to do battle with a team hungry for a victory.
 
The University of Sioux Falls had an overall record of 1-6 entering their game with MSUB, with their lone win coming in the previous matchup giving the Cougars plenty of momentum. In a game that tested endurance, Joshua Marocchi lifted the Yellowjackets past Sioux Falls in the 86^th minute of play with a great shot that landed in the right side of the goal.
 
MSUB's contest against the University of Mary also provided a challenging test. To overcome the Marauders, the Jackets needed a Chad Ward score in the second half to send the match into overtime, and a Landon Horst goal in extra minutes to defeat the opposition, completing the unbeaten weekend.
 
Matt Brink and Thomas Sheets earned GNAC Red Lion Player-of-the-Week honorable mention honors with their play during last week's games. Brink was key in the shutout win versus the University of Sioux Falls on Thursday, Sept. 27 and also instrumental in the defense not allowing any goals after the 11^th minute of play in Saturday's University of Mary contest.
 
Sheets helped MSUB out shoot the University of Sioux Falls 13-8 in total shots and 4-2 in shots on goal as the Yellowjackets defeated the Cougars 1-0. He also had two key assists this weekend, including the assist on the game winning overtime goal against the University of Mary.
 

Next on the agenda for the Yellowjackets are the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders. The two teams will matchup on Northwest Nazarene's home turf on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. Northwest Nazarene is currently second in the GNAC standing with a record of 4-0-2. Leading the charge for the Crusaders offense is Jaime Torres who has four goals on the season.

In last year's matchup in Nampa, Idaho MSUB won a close game against Northwest Nazarene 4-3 in overtime.
 
“It's always a very difficult game at NNU and I'm sure this game will be no different,” stated head coach Dan McNally. “We have picked up 10 points from our last four conference games and the goal will be to put up more points this weekend.”
 
Yellowjacket fans can visit www.gnacsports.com and follow the appropriate links to get live stats from away contests.