GUNNISON, Colo. – Jessica Kresl netted a game-winning goal from the top of the box in the 94th minute, lifting Western State Colorado University to a 1-0 overtime win over the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team at Gateway Field on Saturday.
 
In an evenly-contested match overall, each team had 15 shots, with WSCU putting nine on target and the 'Jackets managing eight. MSUB sophomore Lili Delgadillo had her second straight outstanding game in goal, making eight huge saves to give her team every chance to win.
 
Katie Simpson-Johnson was equally impressive in goal for the home team, as she also had eight saves to earn the shutout. The Mountaineers improved to 1-0-1 on the year with the win, while MSUB fell to 0-2 with its second straight loss.
 
"This was a tough game, but I think we played much better (than Thursday) and were more aggressive on the ball," said MSUB head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. "I think our defense and Lili did a great job of shutting down their offense."
 
The Mountaineers set the tone from the beginning of the match, firing three shots – two on target – in the opening 11 minutes of play. Ingrid Alvarez had all three early attempts for WSCU, and finished the match with a

game-best six shots and five on target. 

Kylee Wolfe, who tied for MSUB's team lead with four shots, had the first attempt of the game for the 'Jackets in the sixth minute. Jessica Spang followed with the first of four straight shots by MSUB starting in the 14th minute, as the 'Jackets established some momentum offensively early on in the match.
 
Simpson-Johnson deflected a shot by MSUB freshman Alexa Iacolucci out of bounds in the 29th minute, but the 'Jackets couldn't string together another attempt towards goal on the ensuing corner kick.
 
Mackenzie Breeden had a final attempt for MSUB in the closing minute of the first period, but missed wide as the teams headed into the break scoreless. Iacolucci had her second shot on target of the game just two minutes into the second half, but Simpson-Johnson was again there to keep the ball out of the net.
 
Each team's keeper contributed key saves through the middle of the second half, while both defensive units held tough and kept the ball out of the net. With time winding down, Delgadillo anchored a big defensive stand to deny a shot by Alvarez off of a corner. Paige Massey had a follow-up shot less than 30 seconds later, but missed high as the teams were destined for overtime.
 
It took another save from Simpson-Johnson in the 92nd minute to prevent a shot by Wolfe from going in, and the 'Jackets again failed to capitalize on a corner kick. Kresl's game-winner followed on the ensuing possession, ending the match immediately as her shot landed in the net.
 
Courteney Shovlin, Kalin Sandow, Amanda Hemmen, and Kari Kastelic each played the entire match on the defensive end, while Dana Lubieniecki also logged 93 minutes in the midfield. Bailey Griglio put her only shot of the match on target in 26 minutes off of the bench.
 
"We need to take the positives and negatives from this game and work on them in training," Krakowiak said.
 
THE BUZZ: Wolfe was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…WSCU had nine corner kicks compared to just two for MSUB…the eight saves for Delgadillo were the most in a game in her career…the 15 shots by MSUB were the most for the team in a match since 17 at Concordia last season on Oct. 22…the eight shots on frame were the most for the 'Jackets since they had nine at Northwest Nazarene last season on Oct. 8…it was the first overtime match for the 'Jackets since a double-overtime affair at Concordia (Ore.) last season on Oct. 22.
 
AHEAD: The 'Jackets return to Billings to make their 2016 home regular-season debut next weekend against San Francisco State and the University of Mary. Kickoff between the 'Jackets and Gators is at 5 p.m. on Sept. 8, with a 3 p.m. start time scheduled for Sept. 10 against the Marauders at Yellowjacket Field.