NAMPA, Idaho – A second-half header goal by Rikki Myers lifted the Northwest Nazarene University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Montana State University Billings on Saturday afternoon, in the teams' 2017 Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener at the NNU Soccer Field.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-5, 0-1 GNAC) managed just four shots in the match, but placed three of their attempts on target. The Crusaders meanwhile found the frame with six of their nine shots, including Myers' game-winner in the 70th minute. NNU improved to 4-2 on the season and started its conference slate with a record of 1-0.

"We are disappointed with the result today, but we feel it is a performance we can build off of," said MSUB head coach Stephen Cavallo. "We weren't able to capitalize off the strong spell we had in the first half, and in the second half we weren't able to keep the ball and relieve pressure."
 
Senior goalkeeper Daniele Ortiz made three saves to record her fourth shutout of the season, as NNU has conceded zero goals in its four victories this fall.

The 'Saders generated a dangerous scoring opportunity eight minutes into the match, which stemmed from a corner kick. Tennyson Young found herself open with space at the top of the goal box, but her strong shot hit the outside of the net just right of the goal post. 

Claire Tevaseu, Jordan Devoto, and Alycia Wright combined to create a good look at the goal for the 'Jackets 15 minutes in, but Wright's left-footed attempt from inside the box after a pair of passes was handled by Ortiz.
 
A foul by NNU just outside the box set up a 20-yard free-kick try by Alexa Iacolucci, that was pushed wide by a Crusader defender. Amanda Hemmen got her head on the ensuing corner kick cross by Wright, but the

'Sader back line again came through to knock the shot off the far post.
 
Fresh into the game off the bench, Natalie Cabiad came close to scoring the first goal in the 28th minute. The freshman's high, left-footed shot from 25 yards out was just tipped over the crossbar on an excellent save by Ortiz.
 
A strong effort by NNU's Anita Maryskova in the 69th minute caused the 'Jackets an instant of panic, but the low strike carried just wide of the far post from outside the box. MSUB freshman goalkeeper Erinn Harder held onto a shot by Corrinah Schafer for her third save of the match moments later, but the 'Saders quickly capitalized with the first goal of the match.
 
Myers finished a well-placed header from point-blank range, leaving Harder with no chance of stopping the shot on a cross by Mabinty Kanu.
 
With the 'Jackets pressing late in the match, Harder came away with two more good saves on shots that came from breakaway attempts.
 
Sophomore center back duo Kalin Sandow and Amanda Hemmen each turned in 90-minute performances on the back line for the 'Jackets. Sandow was especially responsible for keeping MSUB in the match until the end, chasing down attacking players as MSUB's final defender on multiple occasions throughout the afternoon.

"Amanda and Kalin were very solid in the back for us all game," said Cavallo. "Erinn deserves a lot of credit as well for a very confident and strong performance in goal in only her second career start."
 
Each team committed 11 fouls in the evenly-played match, and the Crusaders held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. Wright, Devoto, and Cabiad had the three shots on target for MSUB in the match.
 
THE BUZZ: Sandow was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…MSUB is now 17-6-2 all-time against NNU, and Saturday marked just the second loss for MSUB against NNU in the last 15 meetings between the teams.
 
COMING UP: MSUB is on the road again next week, taking on Concordia University on Sept. 21 in Portland, Ore., and Western Oregon University two days later in Monmouth, Ore.