Box Score
 
Photo Gallery

Billings, Mont. – In a true clash of the titans match up, the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets faced off against nationally ranked (No.5) Colorado School of Mines Orediggers. The highly anticipated match-up did not disappoint, and the Jackets edged out the Orediggers 1-0, to start their regular season with a victory.
 
From the beginning of the game, the balance of power between teams was evident. The Yellowjackets had 16 returning letter winners compared to the Orediggers 15. Both teams had freshman goal keepers staring their first collegiate contest. Aiko Johnson started between the pipes for MSUB and Jayln Yates started for Colorado Mines.
 
The Yellowjackets came out fast in the first half and attacked the Orediggers defense. Janae Remsberg took the first shot on goal of the game in the 5:59 minute but Yates made a good save on the play. Colorado Mines countered with three consecutive shots with two being on target. Co-captain Jennifer Larsen and the Jackets backline held up tight not allowing any goals.
 
MSUB weathered the storm and came back with their own offensive surge. Junior forward Heidi Greenback took two shots, with one on target, and senior co-captain Jaucelyn Richter took one shot on goal. The first period came to a close with Colorado Mines taking two more shots on goal.
 
The Yellowjackets and Orediggers went into the half tied 0-0. In total MSUB took four shots compared to Colorado Mines six.
 
In the second half, the Jackets threw the first offensive blows with three consecutive shots by three different players. Freshman Katlyn Lokay took her first regular season shot on goal in this flurry. The Orediggers defense did not break and the team came back on offense and took two shots that were wide.
 
The turning point in the contest came in the 77:40 minute when sophomore midfielder Chelsea Shuman bent a shot past Yates to land in the back right corner of the goal. The score marks the first career goal for Shuman as a Yellowjacket.
 
Feeling the pressure, the Orediggers made several substitutions to try to gain an offensive advantage, but second year head coach Wojtek Krakowiak countered this strategy with several substitutions on the backline and midfield. Colorado Mines took two more shots on goal, but Johnson effectively played each attempt and made key saves in the closing minutes.
 
“It was a great match and we are very happy with the result,” stated Krakowiak. “Colorado Mines were very competitive and played a great game, they are a very accomplished program. We fought hard and in the end our team wanted it more. I would like to congratulate the team on the win, and thank coach Kevin Fickes and the team for their effort and play today.”
 
The Yellowjackets captured the victory upsetting the No. 5 team in the nation 1-0. MSUB will face Northern State University Saturday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m.


Larsen Interview

Richter Interview

Shuman Interview