Billings, Mont. – The Montana State Billings men's and women's soccer programs are coming off successful weekends. Our women's programs went 2-0 on the weekend and the men's team went 1-0-1, with their draw coming against the No. 3 team in the nation. As both teams continue to battle in the very competitive Great Northwest Athletic Conference, their next test will be a pair of away contest against two talented programs.
 
Women
 
MSUB's women's soccer program is currently on an eight game winning streak and off to their best start since 2006 where the team started the season with a 10 game winning streak. In the Sept. 25^th NSCAA/Continental Tire rankings, the Yellowjackets come in as the No. 23 nationally ranked team and the No. 3 team in the west region.
 
This past weekend they faced off in a double-header with the men's program against Saint Martin's University on Thursday, Sept. 20. The Jackets defeated the Saints 1-0 with a late second half Jennifer Larsen penalty kick. On Saturday, Sept. 22 they traveled to Nampa, Idaho to compete against Northwest Nazarene University.
 
Senior forward Jaucelyn Richter scored her first goal of the season in the 67^th minute of play to lift MSUB over the Crusaders 1-0. The play from co-captains Larsen and Richter earned them Red Lion GNAC Player-of-the-Week honors. Larsen's game winning score over Saint Martin's and her play against Northwest Nazarene helped her earn her second GNAC Red Lion Defensive Player-of-the-Week honor of the 2012 season.
 
Richter earned Red Lion GNAC Player of the Week Honorable Mention honors with her game winning goal against Northwest Nazarene. The score marks Richter's 25^th career goal and she is currently third on the all-time MSUB women's soccer scoring list with 72 total points.
 
Freshmen Aiko Johnson has registered eight starts and five shutouts this season. Senior Adrienne Biglow and the Yellowjacket defense have only allowed two goals on the season.
 
This upcoming weekend MSUB will travel to Burnaby, British Columbia on Thursday, Sept. 27 to play Simon Fraser University. In 2011 the Yellowjackets swept the Clan in their regular season series winning the away contest 2-1.
 
Following the Simon Fraser game, MSUB will travel to Bellingham, Wash. on Saturday, Sept. 29 to compete against Western Washington University. Last year's match ended in a two overtime 0-0 draw.
 
“The girls are very eager to get our games underway this week,” stated head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. “We face a stern test playing two disciplined and dangerous GNAC teams on their home field. “Simon Fraser and Western Washington always play us tough, and Western is right behind us in conference standings. Although we are confident in our own abilities, we are approaching both games with caution as we have the utmost respect for both programs.”
 
MSUB is currently 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the GNAC
 
Men
 
While facing difficult circumstances in playing their first five games on the road, the men's team is off to great start in 2012. The team started 3-0 (first time since 2007) and did not lose a contest on a very tough Hawaiian road trip.
 
The Yellowjackets returned back to the main land to start their Great Northwest Athletic Conference slate also with away contests. This would be an extremely tough test as the Jackets had to play the then No. 12 team in the nation Simon Fraser. MSUB battled tough in their Sept. 13 contest but unfortunately lost to the Clan 2-0.
 
Facing Western Washington on Sept. 15, the wear and tear of the consecutive away contests caught up with the Jackets in the second half and the Vikings scored two late goals to edge MSUB 2-1.
 
Not being discouraged from this unfortunate weekend, the Yellowjackets bounced back strong in the double-header against Saint Martin's on Thursday, Sept. 20. Playing the second match of the day following the women's contest, MSUB came out with a lot of energy in their first home game of the 2012 season. The Jackets controlled the time of possession for the majority of the game and applied constant offensive pressure.
 
Newcomer Landon Horst scored two goals in the match and senior forward Thomas Sheets added another as MSUB defeated the Saints 3-0. Sophomore goal keeper Eoin Hurly recorded four saves and his second shutout of the season. He currently has four career shutouts.
 
Senior midfielder Thomas Chameraud was instrumental in limiting Saint Martin's offensive possessions and keeping the Yellowjackets in a great offensive rhythm. After bouncing back with a big home victory, MSUB faced their most difficult test of the season on Saturday, Sept. 22. Seattle Pacific, then ranked No. 2 nationally, and in the most recent NSCAA/Continental Tire poll (Sept. 25) hold the No. 3 slot, strolled into the Magic City very confident.
 
The Yellowjackets squared up and went head on with their nationally ranked foe, taking the lead in the 76^th minute play off of a Sam Butterworth shot. Being down a score and feeling the pressure of being on the verge of losing their first game of the year, Seattle Pacific turned up their offensive pressure and scored the game tying goal in the 82^nd minute.
 
While facing heavy offensive pressure, senior defender Conner Moe and the Yellowjacket defense played great and did not allow any scores in both overtime periods, ending the match in a 1-1 draw.
 
Moe earned the GNAC Red Lion Defensive Player-of-the-Week with his efforts in helping the Yellowjacket defense to a shutout victory over Saint Martin's  and a 1-1 draw with nationally ranked Seattle Pacific. The co-captain's accomplishments mark the second time this year the men's team has had a player of the week recipient. Legofi Crawford won honorable mention player of the week honors for his performance during the Hawaiian road trip.
 
Now sitting at 4-2-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the GNAC, the Jackets travel east to play the University of Sioux Falls on Thursday, Sept. 27. Last season while playing on a neutral site, MSUB defeated the Cougars 3-2 in a highly competitive overtime bout.
 
After their matchup with Sioux Falls, the Yellowjackets will head north to Bismarck, N.D. on Saturday, Sept. 22 to play the University of Mary. In their 2011 regular season series, the Yellowjackets swept the Marauders, winning the contest in Bismarck 1-0.
 
“Our next five games are on the road so it's important that we continue to play well and pick up good results,” stated eighth year head coach Dan McNally. “Every game will be tough and this year is proving to be a very competitive season in the GNAC.”

For away contests Yellowjacket fans can visit the conference website, www.gnacsports.com  and follow the appropiate links to get live stats and watch the events live via webstreaming.