SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team emerged victorious on the road against Black Hills State, taking the game by a score of 2-1 for the team's first win of the regular season.
 
In a battle between a pair of teams with the same mascot, it was the Yellowjackets (1-1-1) of Montana who were able to take the win over the Yellow Jackets (2-3) from South Dakota. MSUB struck first, with Kendall McGraw getting on the score sheet in the first half, before doubling their advantage on an Erika Wilson free kick in the second half, giving them the insurance goal they needed to see out a victory in their final game before kicking off Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.
 
"The team really wanted it today," said Yellowjacket's head coach Abiye Jack. "I'm proud of the effort they put in today. We played confidently when attacking and defended well as a team It was great to see them get the first win of the season, and build some momentum heading into conference play next week."
 
It was also the first career win as a head coach for Jack, who is in the midst of his first season in charge of the Yellowjackets.
 
"It was exciting to get the first win as a head coach," said Jack. "It's tough to win games at this level, so anytime you get a win you have to appreciate it, but this one is obviously a little more special."
 
The Yellowjackets controlled the opening 45 minutes of play, outshooting the hosts 9-0 in the first half. After some exciting attacking chances up top, they would score with just their second shot of the game. Jillian Hust drove the ball to the middle, where she kicked it out to the right wing for fellow Billings native Ave Roberts. Roberts then passed it through on goal to McGraw, and it would take her just one touch to put the ball in the net, giving MSUB a 1-0 lead in the 17^th minute. Despite a number of opportunities for the Yellowjackets as the half wore on, solid goalkeeping from Black Hills State kept that score the same for the rest of the first half.
 
Just seven minutes after the second half would begin however, MSUB would double their advantage. With a freekick about halfway between midfield and the Black Hills State goal, Erika Wilson sent a ball on target. Her shot would find it's way over a leaping goalkeeper, and across the line, giving MSUB a 2-0 lead. Black Hills State would battle back, finding a consolation goal in the 78^th minute, but it wouldn't be enough for the home team as the Yellowjackets took the win.
 
McGraw led the Yellowjacket's in shots, taking four, with two of her attempts on goal. Out of Wilson's two shots, one ended up on target. Jackie Sharpe had two shots in the game, both on goal, while Hust sent her lone attempt on frame. Goalkeeper Clare Keenan finished with a single save in her first win of the year.
 
THE BUZZ: McGraw was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… the freshman Robert's totaled the first assist and point of her MSUB career… Wilson's goal was likewise the first points and goal of her career as a Yellowjacket… despite one less game played than most teams in the GNAC, Sharpe's 11 shots on the season rank second of all players in the conference, and she's placed seven of her shots on goal.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB has a week off before it opens conference play on the road against Seattle Pacific. The game is scheduled for Thursday, September 21 at 2 PM (3 PM MDT). Live video will be available here, while live statistics will be available here.