Box Score BILLINGS, Mont. - With the wind at its back, Western Washington scored the only goal of the game in the 75th minute as Brianna Jones finished a loose ball in the box to give the visiting Vikings a 1-0 victory over Montana State University Billings in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's soccer match Saturday afternoon at Yellowjacket Field.
A corner kick for the Vikings set up the lone goal of the match, as Emily Webster sent a cross into the box late in the second half. Jones collected the loose ball and knocked it into the net to give WWU the late lead.
The Yellowjackets outshot the Vikings on the match by a margin of 8-3, but could not find the net in their first home defeat of the season. WWU held a slight 4-3 advantage in corner kicks, and goalkeeper Ashley Haden made three saves compared with two by MSUB's
Krystal Daniels.
"I am proud of the effort shown by our team," said head coach
Wojtek Krakowiak. "We came out with a lot of energy and urgency and it was a very good, competitive matchup."
The loss dropped MSUB's record to 5-2-1 on the season, and the 'Jackets are now 3-2-1 in GNAC play.
The No. 22 team in the NCAA, Western Washington remained undefeated with the win, moving to 9-0-1 on the year and 5-0-1 in GNAC play.
Dana Lubieniecki came close to pushing MSUB in front in the opening 10 minutes, firing a point-blank shot on target. Haden punched the ball over the crossbar, preventing the shot from reaching the net.
Katlyn Lokay found herself with the ball behind WWU's defense several minutes later, but Haden came off of her line to make a sliding clear before a shot was taken.
The Vikings created a dangerous chance midway through the first, when a loose ball rattled around the six-yard box. WWU got a touch on the ball, but MSUB's back line cleared it away to prevent a goal.
Lokay collected the ball with space a minute later, taking a shot from 23 yards out that was saved by Haden.
Chelsea Jackson played a key role defensively for the Vikings, winning multiple headers and keeping WWU's back line organized throughout MSUB's offensive pressure.
MSUB held its opponent without a shot for the third-consecutive half, as the Vikings didn't manage a scoring opportunity in the first half.
Midway through the second,
Jennifer Johnson played an excellent long cross into the box off of a set piece. WWU's back line cleared the threat out of the box, and the 'Jackets could not take advantage of an ensuing corner kick.
The Vikings created a dangerous opportunity of their own with 20 minutes to play, as a corner kick into the box was knocked away by Daniels before it reached the WWU attackers.
It was a similar corner with 16 minutes left that produced the first goal of the game. Webster served in a cross, and after it was knocked down, Jones punched the ball into the net from five yards out.
With little time remaining, MSUB fought for a scoring chance but could not find a way past WWU's defense.
"I'm happy with how the team responded after Western scored," Krakowiak said. "We showed a lot of heart and determination to try to get an equalizing goal. We are looking forward to Thursday's match."
NEXT WEEK: The 'Jackets begin a four-game road trip, taking on Seattle Pacific on Oct. 9 with a matchup against Central Washington scheduled for two days later.
