BILLINGS, Mont. – Tied in the closing seconds of overtime, Maddie Wolf put away the winning goal as Saint Martin's University slipped past Montana State University Billings 2-1 in women's soccer Thursday afternoon at Yellowjacket Field in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game. The Yellowjackets outshot the Saints 23-4, including 11-1 in the second half, but
Julia Keller was the only MSUB goal scorer. Keller picked up her first of the season in the 49
th minute of the contest.
The offensive effort started slowly in the first half for both teams, but MSUB managed three shots on goalkeeper Ali Compigotto, who was equal to the task. Keller got behind the defensive line in space to begin the second half and received a through pass from
Haylee Gunter to give MSUB a 1-0 lead.
Natalie Brown evened the score just under five minutes later when she found enough room for a high shot at the top of the box after passes from Shea McKnight and LeAnn Phanakhone. The 'Jackets failed to clear the ball out of the box moments before, causing the crucial turnover.
MSUB mounted more shot attempts in the second half. Keller led the charge with 10 attempted shots in the game and six on goal, but the 'Jackets failed to muster a second tally, leading to overtime. After ten minutes of extra time and a change of sides, both teams created chances on goal to score but did not end the game. Finally, Wolff's shot from 35 yards out on the left side of the pitch with three remaining seconds went to the back of the net past MSUB goalkeeper
Erinn Harder.
"This was a heartbreaking game," said head coach
Stephen Cavallo. "We created enough chances to win but we didn't take them. Credit has to go to their goalkeeper who made at least four or five incredible saves. We definitely missed our opportunities to clear the ball out when we needed to. To give up a goal with three seconds left in the game is a tough pill to swallow."
Campigotto picked up the win for SMU with 13 saves and one goal against. Harder made one save in the loss, though one shot also rattled off the post. Gunter and
Courteney Shovlin each recorded two shots on goal for the 'Jackets.
MSU Billings remains home Saturday for a matchup against Seattle Pacific University at Yellowjacket Field at 12 p.m. The Yellowjackets (4-7-2, 3-5-0 GNAC) lost their third straight game and stand fifth in the GNAC with nine points. Saint Martin's (3-9-2, 1-6-0 GNAC) are tied with Simon Fraser for eighth place with three points.
"We've got to keep plugging away," Cavallo said. "We have SPU coming here on Saturday so we don't have time to feel bad about ourselves. This is part of the game and part of life. This is when our character is tested the most."
THE BUZZ: Keller was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game. Keller has four career goals, including three in 2018 and one in 2019…The 'Jackets have a rematch against the Saints in Lacey, Washington on November 9.
