HELENA, Mont. – Coming up short in its final non-conference match of the fall, the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team lost 3-0 against Carroll College at Nelson Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
 
The Saints (3-2) led 1-0 by halftime, and bolstered their lead with a pair of second-half goals en route to their third straight victory. MSUB (1-4) dropped its second match in-a-row and was shut out for the first time this season.
 
"We have to credit Carroll, as they were the better team today," commented MSUB head coach Stephen Cavallo. "We will hit the reset button tomorrow and get ready for Saturday."
 
The 'Jackets were out-shot in the match 16-8, but Carroll placed just one more attempt on frame with a 7-6 advantage in that category.
 
A goal-scoring chance led to MSUB's first corner kick of the game in the 18th minute, as Alycia Wright forced Saints goalkeeper Devan Murfitt to knock her shot out of bounds.
 
With just under 24 minutes remaining in the first,

Taryn Neameyer got on the end of a pass into the box and slotted home the first goal of the match. 

MSUB's best scoring chance of the half came on an attempt by Erin Reynolds, but Murfitt came through again in the 32nd minute to keep the lead in the hosts' hands.
 
Carroll closed the opening half with three shots over the course of two minutes, two of which were blocked by MSUB's back line before reaching the goal.
 
MSUB goalkeeper Erinn Harder was tested twice early in the second half, saving shots by Brynn Walker and Christina Plank in the opening five minutes of play. She finished with four saves on the day.
 
MSUB dodged a bullet on a corner kick midway through the second half, as the ball was cleared off the back line and an ensuing attempt by Neameyer was pushed over the crossbar.
 
Just one minute later, the Saints doubled their advantage with a goal by Payton Netz with 29 minutes to go on an assist by Emily Spindler.
 
Carroll put the game away with 17 minutes to go, as Katie Anderson drove a high free-kick shot into the upper corner of the net to make it 3-0.
 
MSUB had a close shot in the box by Brooke Johnson with 12 minutes left, but it was gobbled up by Murfitt, who finished the match with six saves.
 
Freshman defender Hallie Vervair was one of the bright spots for the 'Jackets on an otherwise gloomy Thursday afternoon. "Hallie was solid for us," Cavallo said. "She did a good job working into the attacking half, got some crosses off, and was good on the tackle."
 
THE BUZZ: Vervair was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…MSUB is now 11-9 all-time against Carroll College…the start was the first in Harder's collegiate career…Reynolds led MSUB with three shots in the game, placing two on target.
 
AHEAD: The 'Jackets open Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Saturday, continuing west to Nampa, Idaho to challenge Northwest Nazarene University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., and live video and live statistics will be available online through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal here.