Box Score Box Score
 
Billings, Mont. – With all of the exhibition and out of conference games out of the way, Montana State Billings women's soccer team was focused on starting their Great Northwest Athletic Conference games and continuing their early success. Standing in the Yellowjackets way was the Seattle Pacific Falcons. In a very tough and competitive game MSUB came out on top and improved to 5-0 on the season.
 
The Yellowjackets and Falcons have had a rivalry for several years. Thursday's matchup gave the MSUB fans all that they expected. Both teams started the game very aggressive and were very physical. Seattle Pacific started fast and took the first shot of the match that went high. Yellowjackets' co-captain Jaucleyn Richter countered in the second minute with a shot on goal that was saved by the Falcons' Natalie Harold.
 
Following two more shots by Seattle Pacific, the Jackets struck back with a strong offensive attack. Junior forward Heidi Greenback caught fire and started her hot streak with a shot on goal that was saved in the 18^th minute. Shortly after this attempt in the 20^th minute she received a beautiful pass from co-captain Jennifer Larsen and completed the play with a shot that flew pass the right side of the keeper.
 
MSUB took the early 1-0 lead off Greenback's make, and continued to press the Falcons' defense. In the 23^rd minute the Greenback heat struck again. She dribbled by her defender and fired a shot in the back right corner of the goal giving her two scores on the day. The Yellowjackets took a commanding 2-0 against their conference foe.
 
Feeling the pressure of being down by two scores Seattle Pacific started to pick up their offensive pace. The Falcons controlled the possession of the game in the closing minutes of the half, firing three shots with two being on target. Their attempts would not produce any goals as freshman goal keeper Aiko Johnson and the Yellowjackets defense held up.
 
MSUB went into the break with a 2-0 lead. The Jackets have yet to lose a game this season when holding a lead going into the half and this fact proved to hold true in this matchup. However, this was the most physical match the Jackets have played thus far and closing the deal against their rival would not come easy.
 
Seattle Pacific continued their aggressive offensive attack in the second half and scored within the first five minutes of the half bringing the score to 2-1. With a scramble around the goal Falcons' Josie Graybeal chipped in a close shot.
 
Frantically trying to bring the score to a tie Seattle Pacific executed a good game plan to keep the ball in their possession.
 
Starters Adrienne Biglow, Courtney Harvey and Larsen, as well as substitute defenders Whitney Siler and Jessie Mancilla played huge on the backline when facing constant pressure from the Falcons' offense. The defense as a whole was great and allowed for the Yellowjackets to not need much offense in the second half. MSUB met the tough offense with great defense and effectively defeated their rival, moving their overall record to 5-0 and 1-0 in the GNAC.

Johnson finished with a season high seven saves on the day.
 
“This is not only a great win for this year's team, but a great win for the overall Yellowjacket program,” stated head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. “We appreciate the work that previous MSUB players and coaches have done that has allowed us to be successful and continue their tradition. Seattle Pacific is a great team and we always expect a great game when we face them. I am proud of the team's effort today, we played extremely well defensively. We are happy with starting conference play with a win and look forward to improving as a unit.”
 
The next test for the Yellowjackets will be on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 3:00 p.m. against Central Washington University.

Greenback Interview

Johnson Interview