BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team came up short against the defending Division II Champions, falling to Western Washington 3-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (2-5-3, 1-4-2 GNAC) were able to get a goal back in the second half against the Vikings (6-3-3, 4-1-2 GNAC), but were unable to mount a comeback, dropping their first match in the last four matches.
 
It was all Vikings in the first half, who had 15 shots in the opening 45 minutes of play, compared to four from MSUB. They would be rewarded for their efforts in the 23^rd minutes, when Mie Cairns found the back of the net from a corner, giving Western Washington a 1-0 lead. They would threaten to add more as the half went on, but would be unable to, with 'Jacket goalkeeper Tuva Sallvin making eight saves in the half, keeping the hosts within one heading into the break.
 
The Vikings would add a second shortly after the restart, with Payton Neal getting a second goal for Western Washington in the 49^th minute. But MSUB would begin to find their way into the game, putting three shots on goal in the half, finding their opportunities in the counterattack. They would get their break in the 69^th minute, when a handball in the box would give the Yellowjackets a penalty, which junior midfielder Taylor Gertsch would finish to move the 'Jackets back to within one. But they would be unable to find the net once more, and a second goal by Cairns would prove to be the dagger, giving the Vikings the 3-1 victory.
 
Gertsch finished with two shots, and one shot on goal, as did freshman Kaari Little. Vendela Andersson put one shot on goal, while Kendall McGraw, Jillian Hust, and Mackenzie Carnell had one shot. Sallvin made 11 saves in the match, tying her career high.
 
THE BUZZ: Sallvin was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… Gertsch's goal was the first of her season, and the second of her career… Little has put a shot on goal in five consecutive matches.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets continue their homestand with a game Saturday, October 14 against Seattle Pacific. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 PM, with tickets available for purchase online here. Live video is available here, and live statistics available here.