Box Score Box Score

Billings, Mont. - Montana State Billings women's soccer team is off to a great start this season under second year head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. On Thursday, Sept. 06 the Yellowjackets faced their first road test of the season against Dixie State College of Utah. MSUB met the challenge head on and defeated the Red Storm 2-0 at a neutral site (Phoenix, Ariz.) propelling them to 3-0 on the season. The 3-0 start marks the second consecutive year the Yellowjackets have started the year unbeaten.
 
The Red Storm came out the gates aggressive, taking the first shot of the contest within the first minute. This attempt was blocked and resulted in a corner kick that was effectively defended by Haley McFarlane and the MSUB backline. The Yellowjackets countered with two shots on goal by Jaucelyn Richter in the 7^th and 10^th minute that were saved by Dixie State's Abby Johnson.
 
Dixie State did not back down from the Jackets and fired back three straight shots, two on target, between the 23^rd and 25^th minute at freshman goal keeper Aiko Johnson. Playing each shot correctly, Johnson denied the Red Storm's attempts. Feeling they needed to apply more offensive pressure, MSUB kicked their offense into gear and finished the half with seven shots, three of which were on goal. Junior forward Heidi Greenback found her rhythm and accounted for two of the shots on target during this stretch. The Yellowjackets and Dixie State entered the break all tied at 0-0.
 
The Yellowjackets picked up where they left off from the break, taking two shots on goal within the first five minutes of the second half. MSUB's offensive attempts finally paid off when freshman midfielder Katlyn Lokay received a rebound of a Richter shot and put home the attempt giving MSUB the 1-0 advantage in the 49^th minute of play. The goal marks Lokay's first of the season and collegiate career.
 
Both squads dueled back and forth for several minutes with the Jackets having a slight advantage in time of possession. This slight advantage turned into a huge gain in the 61^st minute when Lokay struck the Red Storm again. Off a Greenback shot that hit the crossbar, Lokay fired back the rebound for her second score on the day, giving MSUB a commanding 2-0 lead.
 
Knowing they didn't have much time to cut into the Yellowjacket lead, Dixie State put heavy pressure on the MSUB defense. Between the 72^nd and 88^th minute the Red Storm fired four shots. Junior defender Whitney Siler came off the bench and played huge minutes for the Jackets. The Red Storm's offense would come up unsuccessful due to the skill level and experience of MSUB's backline, and the Jackets captured their first away victory of the 2012 season 2-0.
 
“We played well tonight,” stated Krakowiak. “We are still growing as a team, everyone focused in tonight and it was a true team effort to come out with a victory.”
 
The Yellowjackets out shot Dixie State 23 to 11 and fired 12 shots on goal compared to the Red Storm's four. Johnson had four saves on the day and recorded her third straight collegiate shutout. MSUB's next away match will be against Grand Canyon University on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 8:00 p.m.