Box Score BILLINGS, Mont. – Completing its sixth shutout of the season, the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team received goals from Haley McFarlane and Alisa Sagdahl en route to a 2-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory over Saint Martin's Thursday afternoon at Yellowjacket Field.
 
McFarlane's second goal of the season was a strong finish, as she perfectly timed a run onto a cross by Ashely Marra and headed the ball into the lower-left corner of the net. "I saw Ashely's touch go backwards, she looked up, and I was the only one she could see," McFarlane said. "I called her to play the ball in, and she played a really good one and I put my head on it."
 
The sophomore captain also contributed heavily to MSUB's shutout effort, winning many balls in the air and helping the 'Jackets allow just two total shots on the game. "Haley is a smart player, and the whole back four has been very solid for us," said head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. "They cover for each other very well, and I'm definitely happy with the defense."
 
Jennifer Johnson, Jessie Mancilla, and Kari Kastelic joined McFarlane in continuing their streak of having played every minute of the season so far on the back line. Krystal Daniels has also played every minute for the Yellowjackets in goal, as she earned her sixth shutout of the season with one save.
 
"We have really good chemistry with our back four, there is consistency between us all, and we all know we have each others' backs at all points," McFarlane said. "Our work ethic is good, and it starts with the back, then trickles on to the rest of the team."
 
Sagdahl improved on her team-best scoring mark, as she slotted home her seventh goal in the 68th minute on a through ball by freshman Jessica Spang. The Yellowjackets outshot the Saints 11-2 on the match and won six corner kicks while allowing just one. MSUB improved to 8-3-2 this season and the team is now 6-3-2 in GNAC play.
 
"I'm happy with the goals," Krakowiak said. "We had a great ball from Ashely and a great finish by Haley, and a good through ball by Jessica to Alisa who had good placement on her shot."
 
SMU goalkeeper Sunny De Boer made three saves on the match, and the Saints fell to 1-12-2 overall and 1-9-1 in GNAC play this season.
 
MSUB earned a corner kick in the opening minutes, and Sagdahl served in a good cross that reached the head of Kastelic. The sophomore's header shot was on target, but De Boer pushed the ball wide of the post to stop an early goal.
 
Kastelic got another header shot on target midway through the first, this time testing De Boer off of a free kick from Mancilla.
 
Brittney Greenback won the ball in the middle of the field with 20 minutes to play, and fed the ball through to Marra. The sophomore turned, sent a cross into the box with her left foot, and watched as McFarlane streaked past a defender and netted the ball past the SMU goalkeeper with a header into the lower left corner.
 
MSUB held the majority of possession through the close of the first half, and carried the 1-0 advantage into the break.
 
Chelsea Shuman had the first good look of the second half for MSUB, as her shot from the top of the box 10 minutes in rolled inches wide of the far post.
 
With 23 minutes remaining, Spang picked up the ball 26 yards away from the goal, pushing a pass through a pair of defenders onto Sagdahl's foot. The junior took a touch before finishing a great shot into the upper corner of the goal to make the score 2-0.
 
Greenback played a huge role for MSUB in the midfield, winning multiple tackles and helping the 'Jackets maintain possession throughout the middle of the second half. "Brittney definitely did well for us holding the ball in the middle, being calm and winning the ball," Krakowiak said. "Also on defense she was pretty good, winning a lot of balls in the middle."
 
Krystal Daniels came up big for MSUB on a set piece, punching clear a cross that was headed towards the top of the goal with time winding down in the second.
 
The Yellowjackets continued to defend well into the closing minutes of the match, preventing SMU from any serious chance at scoring for the rest of the game.
 
"Saturday is going to be a really important game that we are looking forward to," Krakowiak said regarding facing Western Oregon in two days. "We are definitely ready for it, and we know it's going to be a good competitive match."
 
"All of our focus is on Western Oregon now after playing Saint Martin's," McFarlane said. "We are just looking to come out and get a win. It is an important game and it will be a tough one, but I am confident we can do it."
 
AHEAD: The Yellowjackets welcome Western Oregon for a 1 p.m. match on Saturday. Saturday's game will serve as Senior Day for MSUB, as the Yellowjackets' seven graduating players will be honored before the game. MSUB will also show its support for the fight against cancer, in the MSUB Kicks Cancer game. Both men's and women's teams will warm up wearing pink shirts.