MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team were defeated on the road by Western Oregon, falling by a score of 1-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
In a match headlined by the defensive performances of it's teams, it would be the Yellowjackets (4-4-1, 1-3-1 GNAC) who found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreline, falling to the Wolves (3-3-4, 3-1-1 GNAC) despite an overall strong performance at the back. The teams combined for only seven shots on goal in the match, but Western Oregon's 62
nd minute effort would prove to be the decider, with the Yellowjackets failing to find an equalizer and falling for the third time in GNAC play this season.
Shots were relatively few and far between for the two teams in the first 45 minutes, with the Wolves outshooting MSUB in total 5-2 in the half, and 2-0 in shots on goal. The match went almost 24 full minutes without either team attempting a shot, with
Jackie Sharpe's tenth minute effort holding until
Nyah Attaway fired a shot in the 33
rd minute. Western Oregon would attempt four of their efforts, including both their shots on target in the final ten minutes of the half, but between a combination of strong defending from the Yellowjacket's backline, and a pair of saves from
Claire Brogdon, MSUB was able to keep their opposition off the scoreboard, with the squads finishing the first half with a scoreless draw.
The second half opened with a pair of chances early from the 'Jackets in the first three minutes, but
Taylor Gertsch and
Liberty Palmer were unable to place either of their chances on frame. From there the teams traded shots, with
Jamie Maas putting MSUB's first shot on goal in the 60
th minute. But just two minutes later, the Wolves would open the scoring, with a cross into the box finding the head of Olivia Fothergill, who would put it home to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. The Yellowjackets would push to even things up as the second half wound to a close, including two more shots on goal, but would be unable to get one past the Wolves before the final whistle, falling just short despite a strong defensive effort.
Palmer led the 'Jackets with three shots, putting one shot on goal, while
Jackie Sharpe had two shots with one on goal. Maas put her lone shot on goal, while Attaway and
Taylor Gertsch each had one shot. Brogdon made a total of three saves in the match.
THE BUZZ: Gertsch was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets play again on Saturday, October 12 in Lacey, Washington where MSUB will square off against Saint Martin's University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM MT (12 PM PT) at Saints Field, with live video available here, and live statistics available here.
