GNAC Championship Program

Billings, Mont. – 2012 marked a special season in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for women's soccer. This season was the first year the GNAC would hold a conference championship tournament for an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament. The top four teams advance to the GNAC tournament and MSUB received the No. 3 seed.
 
The Yellowjackets posted an overall record of 12-5-1 and GNAC record of 8-5-1. Western Washington University received the No. 1 seed (15-3-0, 12-2-0), Seattle Pacific University the No. 2 seed (14-2-2, 11-1-2) and Western Oregon University the No. 4 seed (8-9-1, 6-7-1). While statistically the odds may be stacked against MSUB as they only have one victory against the field.
 
Their lone victory has come against Seattle Pacific however, who recently defeated Western Washington, the regular season conference champion, on Saturday, Oct. 27. MSUB has the talent, experience and chemistry to make a championship run.
 
The Yellowjackets will need to put together a great team effort to upend the Falcons. Seattle Pacific is currently on a nine game winning streak and hold a No. 22 national ranking in the Oct. 30 NSCAA/Continental Tire poll. In the NSCAA/Continental West Region poll MSUB landed the No. 10 slot and the Falcons hold the No. 3 ranking. Western Washington received the No. 5 ranking in this poll.
 
Defensively, the Jackets will have to focus on Megan Lindsay and Ali Martin as the two have combined for 17 goals and 10 assists. Both Lindsay and Martin have received All-GNAC honors for 2012. MSUB will lean on Aiko Johnson, Jennifer Larsen and Whitney Siler, who have also received 2012 All-GNAC honors, to lead the defense. 
 
Offensively, Heidi Greenback and Jaucelyn Richter will need to lead the attack and capitalize off their opportunities as Seattle Pacific has only allowed 14 goals against them this season.
 
Richter received First Team All-GNAC honors and Greenback was a Second Team All-GNAC selection. Both have registered solid 2012 campaigns as Greenback leads the team with eight goals scored and Richter leads the team with five assists.
 
Midfielders Kristen Kastelic and Chelsea Shuman will also be counted on to control possession and initiate the offense as the two have received All-GNAC honorable mention honors for this season.
 
“We are very excited about the GNAC Tournament and we are looking forward to our game on Thursday,” stated head coach Wojtek Krakowiak.  “I am really happy the way we have been playing and I am proud of what the team has accomplished thus far.”
 
Yellowjacket fans can visit www.gnacsports.com and follow the appropriate links for live stats.