PORTLAND, Ore. – A pair of early second half goals doomed an otherwise steady performance as the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team fell 2-1 to Concordia University Saturday afternoon at Tuominen Yard. Amanda Hemmen scored her first goal of the season, but it proved too little, too late for a Yellowjacket squad still in search of road win in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
 
"I am proud of the team for battling through the entire 90-minutes and scrapping until the last whistle to try and get back into the game," commented head coach Stephen Cavallo. "We had a poor start to the second half and conceded two goals during that time. We have to maintain a better focus level in those moments."
 
Kyra Radcliffe opened the scoring for Concordia in the 48^th minute and recorded her team-leading sixth goal of the fall. On the play, Radcliffe intercepted a pass, carried it into the box and beat MSUB goalkeeper Erinn Harder with a low shot to the far post. Madison Grande followed with her first career goal in the 64^th minute after receiving a through pass from Jaida Nyby to get behind the MSUB defensive line.
 
Hemmen scored to get MSU Billings back to a one-goal affair in the 84^th minute. After a high pass came across from Alexa Iacolucci, Hemmen's header found the far corner of the net past goalkeeper Hailey Asato.
 
"Overall, we didn't get enough going forward to threaten Concordia's net," quipped Cavallo. "We improved from our first road trip, getting goals in both matches but it is tough to go back home with nothing to show from these two matches."
 
The Yellowjackets (4-6-2, 3-4-0 GNAC) slipped to fifth place in the standings with Saturday's defeat. The confines of Billings have been friendly to MSUB this season, but they have yet to gain traction on the road with a 1-5 overall record. Concordia (4-7-1, 2-3-1 GNAC) earned its second straight conference win and climbed to seventh.
 
The Cavaliers outshot the 'Jackets 16-8 with six shots on goal compared to two for MSUB. Hemmen and Lexie Bloyder landed one shot apiece on frame. Asato played 90-minutes with one save to pick up the win in goal for CU. Harder took the loss with two goals against and three saves.
 
"I still see a lot of positives and we've got three home matches in a row to get us back on track," said Cavallo. "I believe in this team and these seniors ability to bounce back from disappointment. We are looking forward to hosting Saint Martin's on Thursday."
 
UP NEXT: MSU Billings hosts Saint Martin's University (2-9-2, 0-6-0) Thursday, October 26 at 12:40 p.m. They play host to senior day and MSUB kicks cancer festivities Saturday, October 26 at 12 p.m. against Seattle Pacific University (8-5-0, 6-1-0).
 
THE BUZZ: The Yellowjackets and Cavaliers split the season series with each team winning at home. MSUB downed CU 2-1 at Yellowjacket Field on September 28…Amanda Hemmen was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game for MSUB.