BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team was defeated at Yellowjacket Field by the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks 3-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Thursday.
The win kept the Nighthawks (11-2-4, 9-1-3 GNAC) in the running for the GNAC regular season championship, while the Yellowjackets (2-12-4, 2-9-2 GNAC) are looking to end their season on a high note with just one game left in the season.
The Yellowjackets got off to a quick start, getting off six shots before the Nighthawks had their first, but failed to put any of them on target. That lack of efficiency in front of goal would come to haunt the 'Jackets in the 32nd minute. After a penalty in the box, Madison Grande would step to the spot and hit it opposite goalkeeper
Tuva Sallvin to give the Nighthawks the lead.
After halftime, The Nighthawks would add a second goal in the 64th minute, after Carolyn Moravec would put another shot in the net off the assist from Sierra Sanchez. The 'Jackets would respond in just under a minute though, when
Kiley Sandow's shot was saved by goalkeeper Alexis Montoya, but pushed into the path of
Lauren Becraft, who would give the 'Jackets new life in the game. But it wouldn't be enough for the 'Jackets to spark a rally, and a second goal from Grande would seal the game for Northwest Nazarene.
Jackie Sharpe and
Taylor Gertsch had three shots apiece for the 'Jackets, while
Sydney Torres and
Jillian Hust had two, each with one on target. Sallvin had six saves for MSUB.
THE BUZZ: Becraft was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…the goal was the first of her collegiate career…Sandow's assist was the first of her career…MSUB is now 19-14-2 all-time against NNU and is 12-4 in home matches against the Nighthawks…MSUB was eliminated from postseason contention with Thursday's defeat.
COMING UP: The 2022 season comes to an end on Saturday, with the Yellowjackets facing Central Washington University at noon at Yellowjacket Field. The team's seniors will be honored in a pregame ceremony, with live coverage
available online here.
