Billings, Mont. – The men's and women's soccer programs opened their Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule last weekend. MSUB men's team faced two tough opponents on the road including nationally ranked Simon Fraser. The women's team faced off against conference rival Seattle Pacific and Central Washington. Continuing GNAC play both programs will be a part of a double header against Saint Martin's University on Thursday, Sept. 20.
 
Women
 
In their GNAC opening set of games the women's team started with a very competitive Seattle pacific team. The Yellowjackets and Falcons played a very physical match, with the Jackets capturing the victory 2-1. Against Central Washington, MSUB controlled the tempo of the game and cruised to a 2-0 shutout win. Heidi Greenback and Adrienne Biglow earned GNAC Red Lion Player of the Week honors for their play over the weekend.
 
Greenback earned the GNAC Red Lion Offensive Player of the week scoring both of the Yellowjackets' goals against Seattle Pacific as they handed the Falcons its first-ever loss at Billings. She also turned in a solid performance in Saturday's win over the Wildcats.
 
Biglow earned GNAC Red Lion Honorable Mention honors as she has played exceptional on the backline all season for the Jackets. This past weekend she was instrumental in stopping the Falcons aggressive offensive attack and key in the shutout win over Central Washington.
 
Now at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference, the Yellowjackets hold the No. 4 ranking in the in the September 18 NSCAA/Continental Tire west region poll, two spots up from the previous rankings. On Thursday, Sept. 20 at 1:30 p.m. the women's team will be the first game in a double-header against Saint Martin's University.
 
Last season MSUB lost a tough 1-0 overtime match to the Saints at Yellowjacket Field. After Thursday's contest, MSUB will travel to Nampa, Idaho on Saturday, Sept. 22 to play against Northwest Nazarene University. The Jackets won both contest against the Crusaders in 2011.
 
“We are very anxious and excited about continuing our GNAC conference games,” stated head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. “Both Saint Martin's and Northwest Nazarene are two programs we deeply respect. Thus far, we've gotten some favorable results in non-conference games and we are looking to carry this momentum throughout our conference slate. We approach this week with a lot of determination and focus as we know we are in for two tough games against very respectable and well-coached opponents.”
 
 
Men
 
Starting their conference schedule similar to their non-conference games, MSUB went on the road to face nationally ranked Simon Fraser. The Yellowjackets were highly competitive, but the Clan's depth and experience helped them win the match 2-0. Against Western Washington, the multiple consecutive away games caught up with the team. Despite being up 1-0 at the end of the first half, fatigue set in and the Vikings scored two goals in the second half to steal the victory.
 
Thomas Chameraud and Legofi Crawford are currently tied for the most points on the team with seven. Chameraud has five assists and one goal, while Crawford has three goals and one assist. Cameron Lee, Kyle Emerick and Thomas Sheets have one goal each on the season. Eoin Hurley started every game thus far at goal keeper and currently has 20 saves with one shutout.
 
The Yellowjackets currently sit at 3-2 overall and 0-2 in the GNAC. MSUB will continue their conference play this Thursday, Sept. 20 as they play the second game in the double-header against Saint Martin's University at 4:00 p.m. Last fall at Yellowjacket Field MSUB and the Saints came to a 2-2 two overtime tie.
 
Following the Saint Martin's Matchup, the Jackets will play its second home game of the year against Seattle Pacific University on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 1:00 p.m. This contest will be highly anticipated in part because the Falcons hold the No. 2 national ranking in the NSCAA/Continental tire poll, but more importantly it is the Third Annual International Student's Game. The International student's game celebrates the international students that attend Montana State Billings.
 
“We have made a good start to the season considering we started with five games on the road,” stated eighth year head coach Dan McNally. “The team has played well overall and we are looking forward to playing our first home game of the season.”
 
If any Yellowjacket fan cannot physically make it to Yellowjacket Field, they can watch the match live via our webcast link located on the homepage at www.msubsports.com, which also provides live stats of the contest.