BILLINGS, Mont. – Great Northwest Athletic Conference play begins this weekend for the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team, which opens its 12-game league schedule at Northwest Nazarene University on Saturday afternoon.
 
First, the Yellowjackets will play a final non-conference match at Carroll College on Thursday, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. at Nelson Stadium in Helena, Mont. Live video for Thursday's game will be available online here.
 
Saturday's match against the Crusaders, who were picked to finish seventh in the GNAC preseason coaches' poll, is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the NNU Soccer Field in Nampa, Idaho. Live video and live statistics will be available for Saturday's game online through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal here.
 
"We are excited to open up GNAC play this weekend, and we feel like we have been preparing for this game for almost an entire calendar year," said MSUB head coach Stephen Cavallo. "The Carroll game on Thursday will provide us with another competitive match in the buildup to the NNU game. It is our responsibility to be ready for our GNAC opener."
 
MSUB (1-3) picked up its first win of the season last weekend, defeating Black Hills State University 4-1 on Friday. The 'Jackets followed with a narrow 2-1 defeat against Colorado Christian University on Sunday, splitting their two matches at last week's Rimrock Classic.
 
WRIGHT FINDS THE NET: Scoring a pair of goals to lift the 'Jackets against BHSU, junior striker Alycia Wright paced the offense in its highest scoring affair of the season. Wright's first goal of the year came on a masterful shot from the left wing, as she curled a perfectly placed high shot over the goalkeeper and into the upper-right corner of the net.
 
Already reaching her goal total from a season ago, Wright now has 10 goals in her career. She has been efficient with her shooting this season as well, with all five of her shot attempts landing on target. She brings a strong history into this week's opponents, as she scored the game winning goal in MSUB's last matchup against both Carroll and NNU.
 
IACOLUCCI A THREAT FROM THE SET: For the third consecutive game, sophomore midfielder Alexa Iacolucci found the back of the net on a set piece opportunity, helping boost MSUB with an insurance goal against BHSU. All three of her goals this year have come on free kick opportunities, and nine of her team-high 11 shots have landed on target. She also ranks second among field players with 317 minutes played, while starting all four matches as a holding midfielder.
 

GRIMSHAW GETS ON GOAL SHEET: The first career goal for freshman Amanda Grimshaw gave MSUB a 1-0 edge against CCU on Sunday, and the finish was equally as impressive as Wright's from two days earlier. Like her junior teammate, Grimshaw curled a high shot into the upper corner of the net past the Cougars' goalkeeper in the 29th minute. Playing primarily as an outside back, Grimshaw has contributed strong minutes and played in all four matches in her first year in the program.
 
DEVOTO DELIVERS: Also scoring her first goal of the year last week was junior captain Jordan Devoto, who is off to a strong start in four matches this fall. The Wilsall, Mont., native is looking to build off a three-goal performance in 2016, and will be a key factor for the Yellowjackets in the offensive third this year.
 
VERVAIR FINDING ROLE: Complementing Grimshaw as the team's other outside back has been fellow freshman Hallie Vervair, who is averaging upwards of 71 minutes per game in four starts. The Spokane, Wash., native displayed diversity throughout the preseason, and has been a welcome addition to both the defensive and midfield units as her career begins. Her 76-minute effort against CCU last week was her highest work rate yet this season.
 
SANDOW, SHOVLIN STEADY ON BACK LINE: Representing MSUB along with Wright on the 2017 Rimrock Classic All-Tournament team was sophomore center back Kalin Sandow, after holding down the defense in both games last week. Sandow has started all four matches in her second year as a Yellowjacket, and leads all field players with 334 minutes played. Fellow sophomore Courteney Shovlin has also started all four games, and played a season-high 82 minutes against CCU on Sunday. She also had her first career assist, lending a hand on Wright's second goal against BHSU last week. 

HEMMEN RETURNS: The season debut of all-conference center back Amanda Hemmen was a welcome sight last week, as the sophomore took the pitch in both matches off the bench. After playing every minute of the 2016 season as a true freshman, Hemmen has fought through an early-season injury and is on track for her role as team captain to reappear on the playing field.
 
ALJUNDI IMPRESSIVE IN FIRST GAMES: Also making her debut off the injured list last week was freshman midfielder Samea Aljundi, who started against Colorado Christian. Another one of MSUB's young players who will be relied on for heavy minutes in a key position on the field, Aljundi is expected to play in an accelerated role as a central midfielder.
 
CABIAD KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: Freshman Natalie Cabiad had another strong weekend, and came close to breaking through with her first collegiate goal. Seeing time primarily as a forward, both of Cabiad's shots against Black Hills State landed on target.
 
THE COMEBACK TRAIL: Coach Cavallo emphasized the importance of being the first team to score prior to last week's matches, and the 'Jackets delivered in their most recent match against CCU. It was a step forward from the previous week, when the 'Jackets fell behind 2-0 in each of their first two matches and came up just shy of a comeback with a pair of 2-1 defeats. All three of MSUB's losses this year have been by the score of 2-1, as the 'Jackets have been in every match to this point.
 
Perhaps most encouraging was the team's persistence after falling behind against BHSU, as the 'Jackets scored four unanswered goals en route to the decisive victory.

Carroll College Saints
Thursday, Sept. 14 – 3 PM
Nelson Stadium – Helena, MT
2017 Record: 2-2
Head Coach: David Thorvilson, 14th season
2016 Record: 12-4-5, 8-0-3 Cascade Conference
 
The first season in the Cascade Conference (NAIA) was a welcome one for the Saints, who strolled to a conference title with an unbeaten record of 8-0-3 under veteran head coach David Thorvilson. The team is off to a 2-2 start in defense of its title this season, and takes back-to-back victories into Thursday's game against MSUB.
 
All four of Carroll's goals this season came in last week's sweep of eastern-Washington based Whitman College and Whitworth University (NCAA D3), and each was scored by a different player. Brynn Walker and Taryn Neameyer each had a goal against Whitman, and an own-goal helped the Saints capture a 3-0 victory last Saturday.
 
Madison Apsey's finish in the 21st minute on Sunday was the lone goal in a 1-0 shutout of Whitworth, as the Saints have generated some momentum rolling into Thursday's game.
 
In goal, Devan Murfitt had both shutouts last week, and has played all 360 minutes of the season through four matches.
 
The Series: MSUB holds a narrow 11-8 record against Carroll all-time. MSUB has won three of the last four meetings and five of the last seven contests dating back to the 2004 season.
 
Last Time Out: The 'Jackets pulled off a dramatic 3-2 overtime win on Sept. 3, 2015 at Yellowjacket Field, when Wright knocked home the game-winner in the 100th minute. Jessica Spang also scored for MSUB in the match.

Northwest Nazarene University Crusaders
Saturday, Sept. 16 – 1 PM
NNU Soccer Field – Nampa, ID
2017 Record: 3-2
Head Coach: Mary Trigg, 4th season
2016 Record: 4-13-0, 2-10 GNAC (8th place)
 
The Crusaders are already one win away from their total victories in 2016, having started the year with a 3-2 record. NNU enters Saturday's match against MSUB coming off a 2-0 triumph over Holy Names University on Sept. 9 in Hayward, Calif. The Crusaders will be eager to see MSUB's result against Carroll, after defeating the Saints 3-0 on Sept. 4 in Nampa.
 
NNU has already scored 10 goals this season, and is set to rebound after managing just 14 total in the entirety of the 2016 campaign.
 
Junior midfielder Madi Taylor has gotten off to a strong start in her second year in the program, leading the team with three goals and a pair of assists in her first five matches. Kaisa Tsuruta and Emily Wilkins have each scored a pair of goals, and the former has matched Taylor with two assists as well.
 
The presence of senior goalkeeper Daniele Ortiz has been a big boost for the Crusaders, as the four-year veteran has put together a pair of shutouts and racked up 13 saves in three matches.
 
The Series: MSUB is 17-5-2 all-time against NNU, but the series is much more even in Nampa as all five of the Yellowjackets' losses have come on the road (7-5-2). The 'Jackets have lost to the 'Saders just once in the last 14 matches.
 
Last Time Out: The teams met one time a season ago, with the 'Jackets collecting a 2-1 comeback victory in Nampa. Jordan Devoto scored the equalizer in the 62nd minute, and Wright tucked home the game-winner in the 75th minute to give MSUB a win. Taylor had the goal for the 'Saders in the 30th minute.