BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over Central Washington University Saturday, picking up a crucial win for their playoff hopes in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
After celebrating their seniors pregame, the Yellowjackets (5-6-3, 4-5-2 GNAC) concluded their final home game of the season in style, with a first half goal from Mackenzie Carnell proving to be the difference as the 'Jackets kept their third consecutive clean sheet in the victory over the Wildcats (3-12-2, 2-8-2 GNAC). With the win, the 'Jackets managed to remain one point behind Simon Fraser in the race for the GNAC Championships.
 
Battling through the elements, with snow on the ground and a chill in the air, the conditions didn't stop the Yellowjackets from getting off to a hot start. Carnell, one of the four senior players recognized before the game, marked the occasion by scoring her second goal of the season in the 19^th minute, giving MSUB an early lead. She would collect a loose ball following a throw in, driving through the Wildcats midfield before sending a shot past the goalkeeper into the bottom left corner for the goal. As the half wore on, the two teams went back and forth, splitting shots near evenly with MSUB attempting five, while Central Washington took four. But neither team was able to score again, as the score remained 1-0 going into halftime.
 
The second half saw the shots split slightly in MSUB's favor once more, with the 'Jackets outshooting the Wildcats 3-2 over the final 45 minutes. But following Central Washington's second shot in the half, the Yellowjackets would hold them without a shot for the final 33 minutes of the half, locking in defensively to give the 'Jackets a win in their final home match of the season.
 
Carnell had two shots, with her shot being her lone attempt on goal, while Kaari Little also had two shots with one on target. Liberty Palmer and Ave Roberts each put their line attempts on goal, while Monica Brown and Taylor Gertsch each had one shot. Tuva Sallvin played the first half in goal for MSUB, making one save, while Clare Keenan took over for the second half, making two saves.
 
THE BUZZ: Carnell was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… The 'Jackets three consecutive clean sheets are the most in a row since 2014… MSUB hasn't conceded a goal in it's past 348 minutes of play.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets next game is currently set to be a make-up of Thursday postponed match against Northwest Nazarene, with details still to be confirmed. All scheduled games and live coverage for all MSUB women's soccer matches can be found here.