BILLINGS, Mont. – Conceding a goal in the opening five minutes did not deter the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team under the lights at Herb Klindt Field Saturday evening, as the Yellowjackets rallied to tie the score and fought host Rocky Mountain College to a 1-1 draw.
 
The Bears' offense, led by Tiara Duford, caused the Yellowjackets problems defensively in the early going. In just the fifth minute, Duford intercepted a pass and slotted home a breakaway finish to stun MSUB and make the score 1-0.
 
It was the last chance of the game that Rocky converted however, as the Yellowjacket defense held tough and momentum swung into the visiting team's favor. "This was a great final performance to close out a solid preseason," commented MSUB head coach Stephen Cavallo. "They put their heads down, didn't give up, and kept pushing hard after the tough start."
 
The breakthrough came for the 'Jackets in the 19th minute, when freshman Natalie Cabiad worked herself free in the far side of the goal box and tucked a composed finish into the lower far post to even the score at 1-1.
Cabiad's goal came on a long cross by sophomore midfielder Alexa Iacolucci. "Natalie has been awesome, and has had a great attitude from Day 1," Cavallo said. "She is very technical and composed on the ball, and her finish today showed that."
 
Jessica Spang nearly pushed MSUB in front midway through the first half, but her close-range shot inside the box was knocked away by RMC goalkeeper Maia Wetzel.

 
On the other end of the ball, Hannah Borgel came close to giving the home team the lead just before the break, but her hard shot inside the box missed just left of the goal post.
 
Each team had five shots in the opening half, before the 'Jackets came out strong and maintained control over the final 45 minutes. MSUB out-shot Rocky 6-1 in the second half, and had a handful of chances to take the lead.

Perhaps the closest the 'Jackets came to pushing ahead came with just over three minutes left in the match, when sophomore Mackenzie Breeden dribbled into the box with the ball. Her shot was on target but second-half goalkeeper Aryn Cummings reached it for a game-saving stop. 

Defensively, Kalin Sandow and Courteney Shovlin helped keep order on the back line, playing 83 and 73 minutes, respectively and commanding the aerial game. "We started a little slow in the first five, but after that we got better acquainted with each other and we possessed," said Shovlin. "We play really well from the back, and try not to force it up, so our defenders are mainly the ones on the ball. Having this good competition was good for us to see what we are going to be up against in the GNAC."
 
Freshmen Lizzy Light, Hallie Vervair, and Amanda Grimshaw each also started the game and played upwards of 70 minutes in MSUB's final exhibition match of the fall.
 
Junior Lili Delgadillo and freshman Erinn Harder split time in the net, each playing 45 minutes, and the former made all three saves for MSUB.
 
THE BUZZ: Cabiad was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…MSUB avenged a 1-0 exhibition loss to Rocky last fall…the teams drew after 90 minutes of play, as no overtime period was contested.
 
NEXT UP: The 'Jackets open the 2017 regular season next weekend with a pair of road games in Nebraska. MSUB takes on University of Nebraska Kearney on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m., and Drury University on Sept. 3 at 11 a.m. Live video and live statistics will be available for both matches online via www.msubsports.com.