BILLINGS, Mont. – Holding the No. 1 team in the NCAA without a goal for 77 minutes, the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team fought tough in a 1-0 loss to reigning national champion Western Washington University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at Yellowjacket Field on Saturday.
 
Talia Daigle broke through in the 78th minute with her third goal of the season, spoiling the Yellowjackets' hopes for a major upset. WWU kept its incredible winning streak alive, making it 33 consecutive victories and 34 games without a loss dating back to the beginning of the 2016 season. WWU is now 9-0 overall and 5-0 in GNAC play, while MSUB is 1-8-1 and 0-4-1 in league play.

"We took a lot of pride in our defending today," said MSUB head coach Stephen Cavallo. "Playing against a team of WWU's attacking luster, you've got to be completely switched on for 90 minutes. Communicating with each other, getting numbers behind the ball, and staying compact is key in a game like this. I thought for the most part we did a solid job in that regard."

Freshman goalkeeper Erinn Harder had an outstanding game, making a season-high 12 saves while facing 29 shots including 13 on target from the Vikings. Defensively, center backs Amanda Hemmen and Kalin Sandow were instrumental in helping keep the No. 2 offense in the NCAA under wraps for the majority of the match.
 
The 'Jackets withstood an early barrage of shots, including an attempt by Gabriela Pelogi that rocked the crossbar 10 minutes into the match.
 
MSUB had a good look offensively midway through the first, as Courteney Shovlin pushed forward and shook a defender on the left side of the field. Her cross into the box found an open Lizzy Light for a header shot, but the offside flag was raised to negate the chance.
 
Emily Webster had a near goal with 16 minutes before the break, but her powerful left-footed shot from 22 yards away kicked off the crossbar.
 
At halftime, WWU held a 19-1 advantage in shots despite being unable to find the net.
 
MSUB worked a bit of momentum into its favor with a 20-mile-per-hour wind at its back to start the second half, keeping possession early on and defending with physical play against WWU.
 
The breakthrough came on a one-touch pass from Peyton Chick into the box, as she found Daigle making a run through the defense. Daigle showed good composure with one touch and a curled, low shot into the far corner of the net.
 
WWU goalkeeper Ashley Homer earned her fifth shutout of the season, and did not have to make a save on Saturday. Alycia Wright and Hallie Vervair had MSUB's two shots in the second half, but could not find the target. Alexa Iacolucci also had a shot in the game, which was stuffed by the WWU defense outside of the goal box.
 
Defensively for WWU, reigning NCAA Division II National Player of the Year Sierra Shugarts turned in a 90-minute effort, and partnered with fellow center back Annaliese Laurila to help complete the shutout. Taylor Hallquist also played a full 90 minutes as an outside back for the Vikings.
 
MSUB KICKS CANCER: Showing support for the fight against cancer on Saturday, the Yellowjackets participated in their annual MSUB Kicks Cancer match. The team warmed up wearing pink shirts, and a ceremonial kickoff was performed by Stephany Cavallo, mother of Coach Cavallo and a cancer survivor. The proceeds from Saturday's match were also donated to the American Cancer Society.
 
THE BUZZ: Harder was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…WWU's current 33-game winning streak is the fourth-longest in NCAA Division II history…MSUB is now 3-20-1 all-time against the Vikings, and WWU has now won 12 straight matches against the 'Jackets…WWU had a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.
 
COMING UP: MSUB continues its long home stand next week with two more GNAC contests. The 'Jackets take on Simon Fraser University on Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m., and host Saint Martin's University on Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. Live video and live statistics will be available for both matches online through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal here.