REXBURG, Idaho – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team was defeated narrowly 1-0 by Northwest Nazarene University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (5-7-3, 4-6-2 GNAC) and Nighthawks (5-5-6, 3-5-4 GNAC), met at Madison High School in Rexburg to make up last Thursday's match which was postponed due to inclement weather. The 'Jackets started strong, but a motivated Nighthawks (5-5-6, 3-5-4 GNAC) squad took control of the game, picking up a second half goal to sink the 'Jackets, and set up an exciting end to the season as GNAC play concludes this week.
 
The Yellowjackets threatened following the kickoff, controlling the possession and pace of play early in the half. But Northwest Nazarene would grow into the match as the game wore on, threatening multiple times before the end of the half, and outshooting the 'Jackets 9-4 the rest of the half. MSUB was able to keep the Nighthawks off the scoreboard in the first half though, with some crucial stops by goalkeeper Tuva Sallvin and tackles by the Yellowjacket defense helped keep things scoreless heading into the break.
 
The Nighthawks would keep up their offensive efforts as the second half started, with another nine shots in the second half, breaking though in the 51^st minute to take the lead in the match. While NNU continued to find chances in the half though, Sallvin saved a number of second half chances to keep the Yellowjackets in the game. MSUB would find a few chances to tie late in the half, but were unable to find the back of the net, ending their three-game winning streak.
 
With the loss, MSUB remains fifth in the GNAC Standings with 14 points, just one point behind Simon Fraser for the final spot in the GNAC Championships, while Northwest Nazarene sits one point behind the 'Jackets with 13. The regular season is set to end this week, with each team set to play two more games.
 
Liberty Palmer totaled three shots in the game for the Yellowjackets. Kaari Little and Taylor Ingram each had one shot on goal, while Megan Mendenhall, Taylor Gertsch, and Jackie Sharpe each totaled one shot. Sallvin made six saves in the match.
 
THE BUZZ: Gertsch was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… the conceded goal was the first the Yellowjackets have allowed since October 14 against Seattle Pacific, and ended a streak of 399:21 minutes, the fifth most consecutive shutout minutes in program history.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets head to Canada for the next match against Simon Fraser, in a game which results have a major impact on the 'Jacket's postseason hopes. Kickoff is set for Thursday, November 2 at 6 PM PDT (7 PM MDT), with live video available here, and live statistics available here.