BILLINGS, Mont. – In conjunction with the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team, the Yellowjacket women will welcome four teams to Billings this weekend for the Fourth Annual Rimrock Classic sponsored by TNT Automotive & Marine.
 
The games on Friday and Sunday at Yellowjacket Field will be the first at home in the 2017 regular season for MSUB, which started the year 0-2 on the road last week in Nebraska. "On the Nebraska trip we saw some good moments, and we are definitely looking to improve and find some more consistency within the group," said MSUB head coach Stephen Cavallo. "We are putting everything into our home opener against Black Hills State, and it will be a good opportunity to bring our style of play onto the field against them. Colorado Christian has seen rapid improvement, and I'm expecting them to have grown even more as well."
 
 2017 Rimrock Classic Tournament Schedule
Friday, Sept. 8
11 AM – Black Hills State vs. MSU Billings
2 PM – University of Mary vs. Colorado Christian (at Herb Klindt Field)
Sunday, Sept. 10
11 AM – Colorado Christian vs. MSU Billings
2 PM – Black Hills State vs. University of Mary (at Herb Klindt Field)
 
All four games will feature live video and live statistics, available online through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal here.
 
TW26: The annual tournament is held in memory of Trevor Wildberger, who passed away in 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. Wildberger had committed to joining the Yellowjackets' men's soccer team as a goalkeeper, and his legacy lives on with the event each fall. His parents John and Tammy Wildberger will be in attendance this weekend to help perform a ceremonial kickoff.
 
THE COMEBACK TRAIL: The recurring theme from last week's games was a late rally that nearly resulted in evening the score. The 'Jackets endured 2-1 losses to both Nebraska Kearney and Drury University, scoring after the 85th minute in each affair. Three of MSUB's 11 shots against Drury came in the final 15 minutes, including the lone goal of the match. 
 

IACOLUCCI LEADS OFFENSE: Scoring her first two collegiate goals for the 'Jackets, sophomore midfielder Alexa Iacolucci provided the offense for the team last week. The lefty's first goal came on a 25-yard free kick in the closing minutes against Nebraska Kearney, and she followed with a penalty-kick conversion in the 87th minute against the Panthers. After leading the team with 31 shots a season ago, all six of Iacolucci's attempts this fall have landed on target.
 
ON THE WRIGHT TRACK: Though she didn't find the net last week, junior forward Alycia Wright helped create several of the near misses towards goal for the 'Jackets in the attacking third. Off to a strong start to the season, Wright started both games and racked up 150 minutes as she sets out to add to her eight career goals after two years in the program.
 
MIDFIELD CHEMISTRY: MSUB's sophomore trio of Mackenzie Breeden, Claire Tevaseu, and Iacolucci at the central midfield positions will be counted on for stability this season. So far, the three have each started every game and logged upwards of 140 minutes. "We play some competitive teams this week and that will be good for us moving forward," commented Breeden on the team's upcoming opponents. "We have a strong midfield and I'm excited for what we can bring to the GNAC part of our schedule this year."
 
SANDOW STEADY ON BACK LINE: Sophomore Kalin Sandow is the lone field player to have played all 180 minutes through the first two games, helping anchor the defensive unit at center back. She, Courteney Shovlin, and Amanda Hemmen are the three returners defensively to have logged upwards of 1,300 minutes as freshmen during the 2016 season.

Visiting Team Capsules
Black Hills State University Yellow Jackets
Location: Spearfish, S.D.
Conference: Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
2017 Record: 0-3
Head Coach: Mike Greco, 2nd season
2016 Record: 1-16 (0-12 RMAC, 13th place)
 
The Scout: In just its second season as a collegiate program, BHSU has dropped its first three games and is in search of its first goal of the 2017 season. The team opened with a 6-0 loss against Minot State, before falling 4-0 against Northern State University and 5-0 at the hands of Wayne State College. The team welcomes back its leading goal scorer from last year in Katie Nielson, who will look to replicate her output of five goals and an assist in 2016.
 
History vs. MSUB: Friday's meeting will be the first-ever battle of the similarly-named opponents.

Colorado Christian University Cougars
Location: Lakewood, Colo.
Conference: Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
2017 Record: 1-1
Head Coach: Tammy McPherson, 3rd season
2016 Record: 13-8-3 (5-4-3 RMAC, 7th place)
 
The Scout: In perhaps the most drastic turnaround in all of college soccer, the Cougars went from an 0-15-3 record in 2015 to a stellar mark of 13-8-3 last fall under the leadership of head coach Tammy McPherson. CCU started its year with a 2-1 loss to Sioux Falls, but rallied to defeat Wayne State with a strong 4-2 result last week. Alyssa Regalado and Mollie Monson have each scored a pair of goals so far, leading the Cougar offense.
 
History vs. MSUB: The series is even at 2-2, with the Cougars claiming last year's match 2-1 on Sept. 16 in Colorado.
 
University of Mary Marauders
Location: Bismarck, N.D.
Conference: Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
2017 Record: 1-0
Head Coach: Sarah Cook, 6th season
2016 Record: 4-10-3 (4-9-2 NSIC, 13th place)
 
The Scout: The Marauders started their season on a high note Sunday, scoring a pair of first-half goals to defeat Minot State University 2-1 at home. The team bid farewell to Michelle McGeary, who led all players with six goals and four assists last year, but has a strong veteran presence with five seniors including returning starter Hannah Smith in goal.