BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team were narrowly defeated on the road by Western Washington University, falling 2-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (4-5-2, 1-4-2 GNAC) gave the conference leading Vikings (6-2-4, 5-0-2 GNAC) a run for their money as they looked to hand them their first conference loss of the season. But despite clawing back an equalizer after Western opened the scoring, a late first half goal would put the Yellowjackets in a deficit they were never able to overcome, falling short despite a quality performance on the field.
 
Despite coming into a tough match on the road, it would be the Yellowjackets who would find the earliest chances in the match, with Jackie Sharpe putting a pair of shots on goal in the 11^th and 13^th minutes of the game. From there, the two squads would swap scoring opportunities, but it would be the Vikings who would score the game's first goal, with Ashley Nguyen opening the scoring to give the hosts a lead. That advantage wouldn't last long though, with the 'Jackets finding a moment of their own to even the scoring in the 29^th minute. Sharpe's cross would be passed on by Nyah Attaway onto the waiting foot of Kendall McGraw, who would slot it past the keeper to even the score once more. The 'Jackets would continue to push the Vikings, looking to head into the half tied, but in a similar way to their opening goal, Western Washington would once again score, this time from Morgan Manalili, giving the Vikings a lead in the 43^rd minute that would hold until halftime.
 
The second half would see both teams continuing to push forward and attack, with Western Washington looking to add to their lead, and MSUB looking to equalize. The Vikings narrowly outshot the 'Jacket 8-7 over the second half, but MSUB would put five of their shots on goal, compared to just two from the Vikings. The Yellowjackets would get tantalizingly close to evening the game up multiple times, forcing a number of impressive saves from the Vikings, and well as a shot from Liberty Palmer that hit off the left post to deny her of a goal. But despite the 'Jacket's best efforts, they would be unable to find an equalizer, coming up short as the Vikings remained undefeated in GNAC play.
 
Sharpe totaled four shots in the match, with three on target, to go with an assist. Palmer had three shots with one on goal, while Monica Brown put both of her attempts on target. McGraw, along with Attaway, Erika Wilson, and Ava Curtright, all put their lone shots on goal, while Jillian Hust attempted one shot. Claire Brogdon made two saves in net.
 
THE BUZZ: McGraw was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… her goal was the fourth of her season, her new career high for goals in a season… McGraw has now scored eight goals in her Yellowjacket career… Attaway's assist was the first of her MSUB career… Sharpe now leads the 'Jackets in assists this season with three, also a single season high for the senior.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets conclude their road trip on Saturday, October 19 in Seattle when the 'Jackets square off against Seattle Pacific University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM MT (12 PM PT), with live video available here, and live statistics available here.