BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Dominating the run of play from start to finish on Thursday night at Harrington Field, host Western Washington University claimed a 2-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory over the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team.
 
The Vikings, who received votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches top-25 poll, out-shot the Yellowjackets 33-3 in the one-sided match and collected their fifth shutout of the 2022 season. Western Washington improved to 4-1-3 overall and 3-0-1 in conference play, while the Yellowjackets slipped to 1-6-3 overall and 1-3-1 in league matches.
 
Emily Rice put the Vikings ahead in just the third minute of play, and Tera Ziemer added a brace for WWU in the 52nd minute to provide all the offense the hosts needed in the win.
 
MSUB goalkeeper Clare Keenan was one off her career high in saves, as her 10 stops amid a constant barrage of shots helped keep the score close for 90 minutes.
 
Keenan made her first save in the opening minute, as the Vikings threatened from the outset of the match. A free kick won by WWU on the right side of the field set up the first goal, as Rice lofted a high ball into the box that carried all the way inside the left goal post from close to 30 yards out.
 
The early momentum sparked a furious attack by the Vikings, who out-shot the 'Jackets 17-2 throughout the opening 45 minutes. MSUB held tough defensively however, and managed to get to the halftime break trailing just 1-0.
 
The Vikings struck again early in the second half, when Ziemer got on the end of a corner kick by Ellie Busik and tucked home a shot from within the goal box to make the score 2-0. The attacking theme by WWU continued through the final whistle, as the Vikings racked up 15 corners while not allowing one in the game.
 
Keenan continued to stand strong as the last line of defense, but the 'Jackets struggled to dispossess the Vikings for any significant stretches during the second half.
 
Jackie Sharpe, Sydney Torres, and Abby Sena each had a shot for MSUB, while defenders Vendela Andersson, Lauren Becraft, and Kailey Findlay each played the full 90 minutes.
 
Estera Levinte led all players in the match with nine shots for WWU, while Claire Potter put four attempts on frame and Ziemer and Busik each also had four shots.
 
THE BUZZ: Keenan was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…MSUB is now 3-26-1 all-time against WWU and is 1-13-1 in road matches against the Vikings.
 
COMING UP: The 'Jackets are back on the pitch Saturday with an 11 a.m. (Pacific) kickoff at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. Live coverage for the match will be available online here.