LAKEWOOD, Colo. – After just one shot apiece in a quiet first half, Colorado Christian University scored two goals on 10 shots in the second frame to hand the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team a tough 2-1 defeat in the 2016 season opener Thursday afternoon at Trailblazer Stadium.
 
Dana Lubieniecki scored the lone goal of the match for the 'Jackets, poking home a loose ball after a header by Kari Kastelic caromed off of the crossbar midway through the second half. Sophomore goalkeeper Lili Delgadillo came through with five saves for the Yellowjackets, who fell to 0-1 with the defeat.
 
"The first half we came out a little flat, but we definitely picked it up in the second half," said MSUB head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. "We have to give Colorado Christian credit for scoring two goals, but we are looking forward to the game on Saturday."
 
CCU used a goal each from Kielli Jordan and Sarah Feller, while goalkeeper Mallory VanVoorhis had four saves for the home team. The Cougars got off to a 1-0 start in 2016 with the victory.
 
CCU pressured MSUB's defensive unit early on, working the ball deep into the attacking third on several occasions. Delgadillo got several early touches on the ball, establishing command and coming off of her line to snag a dangerous cross 20 minutes into the match.
 
Erin Reynolds had the only shot of the first half for the 'Jackets, pushing her contested attempt from inside the box wide of the near post with less than three minutes to go. The Cougars countered on the next play, but

Amanda Hemmen ran down a long ball and made a big tackle in the defensive third to prevent a chance from materializing. 

MSUB's sophomore keeper continued to hold strong, as she punched away a dangerous cross from a corner kick just two minutes into the second half. "Lili made three crucial saves for us, and she definitely had an outstanding game," Krakowiak said. "Her effort definitely kept us in the game."
 
The 'Jackets earned a chance of their own with a free kick just outside the goal box less than 10 minutes after the halftime break. The attempt missed wide however, and the match remained scoreless.
 
Jordan broke the stalemate in the 57th minute, beating a pair of defenders on the right side and finishing into an open net to make the score 1-0.
 
Earning another free kick with 25 minutes to play, Alexa Iacolucci lined up a shot from the right side of the field 30 yards from goal. Her left-footed strike was on target, but not beyond the reach of VanVoorhis who held it for the save.
 
Less than a minute later, the 'Jackets had their best chance of the match as Iacolucci fired another shot on frame. But VanVoorhis was there again, pushing the attempt wide and keeping her team in front. The offensive push finally paid off in the 70th minute, as Lubieniecki found the net on a rebound after a corner-kick cross by Iacolucci to even the score at 1-1.
 
"It's good that we scored off of a corner kick," Krakowiak said. "It was a great service from Alexa, good timing from Kari, and solid composure from Dana. Overall it was a very nice goal."
 
Delgadillo had more heroics with back-to-back denials on close-range shots in the 73rd minute. But after a third shot by Alyssa Regaldo was knocked down by the back line, Feller punched home the second goal of the match from the right side of the box as CCU regained the lead.
 
Inside of five minutes to play, it took another one-on-one save from Delgadillo to keep the deficit at a single goal. Charging forward off her line, Delgadillo reacted to a strong, low shot by Feller and knocked it away from the frame.
 
MSUB put together a final offensive push in the closing minutes, but the Cougars continued to clear the ball out of the defensive third and held on for the win.
 
Overall, CCU out-shot MSUB 11-10 and the teams were even with three corner kicks apiece. Freshman Kalin Sandow, junior Jessica Spang, and Hemmen all played 90 minutes in the field for the 'Jackets, matching the totals for Kastelic and Lubieniecki.
 
THE BUZZ: Delgadillo was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…the goal was the fourth of Lubieniecki's career...this marks the first time MSUB has lost a season-opener since a 2-1 defeat against Cal State San Bernardino on Aug. 29, 2009…CCU was whistled for 10 fouls in the match while MSUB had just one called against it.
 
COMING UP: The 'Jackets continue their Colorado road trip on Saturday, taking on Western State Colorado at 11 a.m. Mountain time. Live statistics will be available for Saturday's match in Gunnison, Colo., at Gateway Field.