BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team begins Great Northwest Athletic play, and their fight to get to the GNAC Championships, this week at home at Yellowjacket Field. The Yellowjackets open conference play versus Western Oregon University at 2 p.m. local time on Thursday, September 26^th, then play Concordia University on Saturday, September 28^th at 1 p.m. local time. You can follow along with live statistics or live video through the MSUB Stretch Internet portal.
 
MSUB (1-2-2) is coming off a big road win versus Minot State University at Herb Parker Stadium in Minot, North Dakota.  The 'Jackets came out on top 2-0 against the Minot Beavers, who made an NCAA tournament appearance last year. In the 48^th minute, a long ball from Courteney Shovlin switched the point of attack, hitting Lexie Bloyder out wide who scored off a brilliant individual effort, dropping her shoulder, and taking the shot from distance. The 'Jackets secured the win in the 78^th minute, when a corner by Alexa Iacolucci was flicked by Claire Tevaseu, and Haylee Gunter put it in the back of the net. Erinn Harder and the back line secured their first shutout of the season, looking to continue clean sheets in conference play.
 
Haylee Gunter is proving to be dangerous in the midfield and in front of goal. Gunter is tied for 6^th in goals per game in the GNAC. She has scored two goals in the last five games and looks to increase her offensive prowess in conference play. Gunter leads the team in points with four so far this season.   
 
Alexa Iacolucci continues to push offensively for the 'Jackets, as she is tied for 3^rd in the GNAC with three shots per game, shooting 15 times in the last three games. Iacolucci leads the team with shots on goal with eight. The 'Jackets will rely on many different players to make an impact this week. MSUB has seen assists from four different players this season and goals from five different players. Iacolucci and Bloyder both have a goal and an assist to their name.  
 
Scouting Western Oregon University
Thursday, September 26-2PM- Yellowjacket Field—Billings, Montana
2019 Record: 3-2-1-, 2-0-0 home, 0-2-1 away, 1-0-0 neutral
2018 Record: 5-9-3, 2-5-1 home, 3-4-2 away, 0-0-0 neutral
Head Coach: Kacey Bingham (1^st season)
 
WOU is fresh off of a two game win streak. The Wolves have found a lot of success so far on corner kicks, averaging just over eight corners a game. 
 
Alyssa Tomasini, a junior forward for Western Oregon, is coming off GNAC Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week.  She tallied five points recently, scoring two goals and an assist in a span of three games. Her 10 points on the year so far is already over Western Oregon's individual team high of seven points in the entire season last year.
 
Last Season: The 'Jackets lost 1-0 in a 90^th minute goal from Tomasini in Monmouth, Oregon. 
 
Scouting Concordia University
Saturday, September 28-1PM- Yellowjacket Field—Billings, Montana
2019 Record: 2-4-0, 2-1-0 home, 0-1-0 away, 0-2 neutral
2018 Record: 15-2-3, 8-1-2 home, 6-1-1 away, 1-0 neutral
Head Coach: Grant Landy (23^rd season)
 
In the 2019 United Soccer Coaches/NCAA Division II Preseason Poll, Concordia was ranked No. 22. The Cavaliers (2-4-0) returns five of their starters from a successful 2018 campaign where they won the GNAC Championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament before losing to Western Washington. Kyra Radcliffe, Quinn Williams, Megan Myers, Hailey Asato, and Aspen Jeter were regular starters for the Cavs last season. 
 
Radcliffe and Williams were offensive threats last year, while Myers, Jeter, and Asato were key defensive components.  Last year, Radcliffe tallied seven goals and eight assists for a team-leading 22 points. With only five starters returning, Concordia will look to 10 newcomers and last year's reserves to make a difference this season. Concordia is yet to record a shutout this season. 
 
Last season: The Cavs beat the 'Jackets 4-0 in Portland, Oregon. Kasey Ames scored off an assist by Quinn Williams and Sydney VanSteenberge was assisted by Kyra Radcliffe. Gabrielle Ewing and Mallory Flatebo scored unassisted, off of a penalty kick and a one versus one, respectively.