Hill, Lubieniecki & Shuman Interview
 
 
Billings, Mont. – Head women's soccer coach Wojtek Krakowiak leads Montana State Billings into St. George, Utah as they open their regular season against Dixie State University on Sept. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
 
"Every year we try to put together a challenging schedule," stated Krakowiak. "I think we have a well balanced team and we should be competitive in every position."
 
MSU Billings has enjoyed much success over the last three seasons, winning 11 or more games each year since 2010. Last season the Yellowjackets tied the most wins in the program's history, going 13-6-1 overall and finishing third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with an 8-5-1 mark. 2012 was a special year for women's soccer in the GNAC as they held their inaugural post season championship tournament. MSU Billings upset then ranked No. 22 Seattle Pacific University 1-0 to advance to the finals before falling to Western Washington University.
 
Head coach Wojtek Krakowiak has a current career record of 24-9-5; and while there has been much to celebrate, the Yellowjackets have unfortunately missed the NCAA tournament since 2010. This year's senior class of Heidi Greenback, Jackie Hill and Agen Heffernan, who were members of the 2010 team, will be charged with the task of leading MSUB back to the post season.
 
"Our senior class is very experienced on and off the field and it is amazing to see them grow and become leaders," Krakowiak said.  "We will need their support and commitment to the team, as well as their leadership to help us achieve our goals this year."
 
"They are a very dedicated, passionate, disciplined and energetic group," stated Krakowiak. "We do have big shoes to fill, but I am very confident that they will overcome any challenges and will lead by example.  I am very proud of the senior class and it will be great to work with them for one more season."
 
The Jackets begin their journey for a potential NCAA tournament appearance Sept. 7 against a very talented Dixie State team. Reaching the region tournament will come with its challenges as MSU Billings lost seven starters from the 2012 roster. They do however return 11 letter winners and four starters, with two of the starters receiving All-GNAC honors in 2012.
 
Of the returning starters, Greenback earned second team All-GNAC, second team Daktronics All-West Region, and third team NSCAA All-West Region honors last season; and Chelsea Shuman received All-GNAC honorable mention honors, and was named Red Lion GNAC Player of the Week the week of Aug. 27-Sept. 2 in 2012. Greenback led the team in goals scored, ranking No. 4 in the GNAC in goals scored and No. 6 in points. Shuman scored three goals, including the game winner to upset Colorado School of Mines (8/31/12), then ranked No. 5 nationally.
 
Katlyn Lokay, Jessie Mancilla and Alisa Sagdahl are also key returners for MSU Billings that will be counted on to play big minutes in 2013. As a true freshman Lokay started all 20 contests and registered the most minutes on the team, playing 1,789 minutes and scoring six points (two goals, two assists). Sagdahl, also a true freshman last season, appeared in all 20 matches, making two starts and recording three goals and one assist. Mancilla's header against Seattle Pacific (11/1/12) in the semifinal round of the GNAC tournament propelled the Yellowjackets to the finals.
 
The Red Storm finished 2012 in an unfavorable fashion losing seven straight matches en route to a 6-10-2 overall record. Dixie State is determined in 2013 to have a better result as well as avenge last year's defeat to MSUB, where the Jackets won 2-0. The Red Storm averaged 1.72 goals per game, a .538 shot on goal percentage and registered four shutouts in 2012. From last year's team Dixie State returns Kaisa Goodman, Megan Marchbanks and Jennifer Mason.
 
Goodman earned second team All-PacWest honors, starting all 18 contests, recording three goals. Marchbanks started 17 matches in 2012 and registered four goals and five assists for a total of 13 points, finishing second on the team in points scored. Mason earned first team All-PacWest honors, and second team Daktronics All-West region honors after leading the PacWest in goals (15) and points (32).
 
The Yellowjackets and Red Storm will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 7.
 
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