MONMOUTH, Ore. – In a pivotal match for their conference tournament hopes, the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team came up with a crucial victory, taking down Western Oregon 1-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (4-6-3, 3-5-2 GNAC) defeated the Wolves (7-3-4, 4-3-3 GNAC) for the second time this season, with a second half goal from Jackie Sharpe proving to be the decisive goal in the match. The win moved the Yellowjackets, who are 3-2-2 in their last seven matches, into control of fifth place in the GNAC standings on 11 points, just one point behind Simon Fraser for the final spot in the GNAC Championships.
 
"It was a gritty performance from the team today," said MSUB head coach Abiye Jack. "We had the moment of quality we needed to get the goal, and we remained solid defensively throughout the match. Improving defensively has been one of our primary focuses, so to pick up two clean sheet wins this week is great for our group."
 
The two squads came out ready to play in a competitive first half, with Western Oregon looking to avenge their 2-1 loss to the 'Jackets just two weeks prior. The Wolves earned the lions share of chances in the first half, outshooting the Yellowjackets 8-3, but the Yellowjackets proved just as efficient in terms of quality chances, with both teams putting two shots on goal. Neither team would be able to break through after the opening 45 minutes however, with the game remaining scoreless heading into halftime.
 
The second half would prove more of the same, but with the Yellowjackets beginning to find more chances on net, increasing their shot total to five in the half. Their attacking efforts finally paid off in the 72^nd minute, when Sharpe would receive the ball on the wing from Kaari Little, taking a few dribbles before hitting the ball with her left foot, sending a curling effort over the outstretched arm of the Western Oregon goalkeeper, giving the Yellowjackets a 1-0 lead. The Wolves would battle to equalize late, but solid defending from the 'Jackets defense would keep the hosts out of the back of the net, giving MSUB it's second consecutive clean sheet and an important conference win.
 
Sharpe led all Yellowjackets with three shots in the match, with two chances on goal in the match. Vivien Giese and Ave Roberts both put their lone shots on goal, while Erika Wilson and Liberty Palmer each attempted a single shot, as did Little. Tuva Sallvin made four saves for the Yellowjackets in net.
 
THE BUZZ: Sharpe was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… it was her second goal of the season, tying her total from last season… Little's assist was her extended her team-leading total to four… Little has tallied the most assists by a Yellowjacket in a season since Alexa Iacolucci assisted five times in 2019… with the win, MSUB guaranteed it would improve it's record from last season… it's the first time MSUB has recorded back-to-back clean sheets since 2021.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Yellowjackets return to Billings for their final home matches of the season, beginning their slate of games with a matchup against Northwest Nazarene on Thursday, October 26, with kickoff scheduled for 7 PM at Yellowjacket Field. Live video will be available here, and live statistics available here. Tickets will be available for purchase online here.