ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team put up their highest scoring offensive showing of the season, but was unable to claim a victory, falling 4-3 to Central Washington University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
In a high-powered match, where the two teams combined for 28 shots and even more attacking opportunities, the Yellowjackets (1-4-1, 0-3-0 GNAC) came out on the wrong end of things, with a pair of second half goals helping the Wildcats (2-6-0, 1-2-0 GNAC) earn the win in a tough conference matchup.
 
The two teams combined for four goals over the opening 45 minutes of action, resulting in an entertaining, back-and-forth battle. Central Washington would open the scoring just 54 seconds into the match through a shot by Casey Park, but the Yellowjackets would grow quickly into the match from there, grabbing their first equalizer of the half off a corner kick. Kaari Little was able to grab the rebound off a ball that wasn't cleared out of the box by the Wildcat defense and put it in to even things once again. The Wildcats would grab their second goal of the half at the 21^st minute mark, following a penalty in the box by the 'Jackets, which Lily Newberry would slot home to give the Wildcats the lead once more. The Yellowjackets would strike once more before the half was through though, when a ball was played to Jillian Hust at the top of the box, that the junior forward would send into to left side netting to even things once more just two minutes before the half.
 
MSUB would get off to a quick start to begin the second half, with Mackenzie Carnell giving the Yellowjackets their first lead of the match in the 48^th minute. Carnell would get the ball on the wing, before taking a quick dribble inside and firing a curling effort past the outstretched arms of Wildcat goalkeeper Danika Galbraith. But the Wildcats responded shortly after, with a goal of their own scored by Cassidie Andrews three minutes later to return things to level once more. Both teams battled hard for the deciding goal, with the 'Jackets firing seven shots in the half compared to the Wildcat's eight. But it would be the hosts who broke the deadlock for the final time, with Emily Darcy's deciding goal in the 81^st minute proving the difference in the match, as Central Washington emerged victorious.
 
Little had four shots in the match, with one shot on goal, while Hust had three, with two shots on goal. Carnell, along with Erika Wilson, each put their lone shot attempt on goal. Jackie Sharpe had four shots in the match for MSUB. Yellowjacket goalie Clare Keenan made four saves.
 
THE BUZZ: Hust was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… Her goal was her first of the season, as was Carnell's… Little leads the Yellowjackets in goals with two, and points with five… Keenan has now made 227 career saves for the Yellowjackets, moving her six saves away from moving past Jordan Fenwick for second in program history.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets return to action Saturday, September 30 at 11 AM when they face off against Northwest Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho at NNU Soccer Field. Live video will be available here, with live statistics available here.