BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team grabbed it's first conference win of the season Saturday, collecting a 3-0 victory over Northwest Nazarene University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
In front of their home crowd, the Yellowjackets (4-3-1, 1-2-1 GNAC) downed the Nighthawks (1-7, 1-3 GNAC) in impressive fashion to get three important points to round out the second week of GNAC play. Battling strong winds throughout the entire match, the 'Jackets were able to grab the lead in the final moments of the first half, before collecting a pair of insurance goals in the second half, while the defense was able to handle everything Northwest Nazarene threw their way, collecting the teams fourth shutout of the season, and first since September 11 against Black Hills State.
 
The early stages of the match were a challenge for both sides, as the teams adjusted to the wind. The Nighthawks saw the game's first two looks, including a shot on goal, before the Yellowjackets would settle in, attempting the game's next five shots and wrestling control of the match. The final ten minutes of the first half would see both teams put dangerous chances on net, but with just 15 seconds before the halftime whistle, MSUB would finally find the break they'd been searching for all half. After winning a challenge on the right wing, Lexi Harris would find Monica Brown in the center of the pitch, who would take a few dribbles forward before driving a chance towards the bottom left corner from well outside the box. The ball would take a hop before bouncing past the outstretched arms of a diving keeper, giving the senior the first goal of her Yellowjacket career, and MSUB the 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
 
NNU would push hard to equalize as the second half commenced, seven shots in the first 32 minutes of the half, including three shots on target, and a ball that glanced off the top of the crossbar. But the Yellowjackets defense remained hard to break down, forcing the Nighthawks to attempt the majority of their efforts from outside the box while goalkeeper Claire Brogdon saved every ball that challenged her. Looking to put some distance between themselves and the visitors, MSUB would get the break it was looking for in the 71^st minute, when the 'Jackets earned a penalty after Kendall McGraw was taken down in the box. Taylor Gertsch would step up to take it, beating the keeper for her first goal of the year, and giving the Yellowjackets some breathing room. They would make the lead 3-0 in the 82^nd minute, this time from a penalty kick taken by freshman Ava Curtright, whose shot would hit the bottom of the crossbar before finding it's way home for Curtright's first collegiate goal. The 'Jackets would then see out the remainder of the match comfortably, earning an important win as the team improved their position in the GNAC standings.
 
Jackie Sharpe once again led the Yellowjackets in both shots and shots on goal, totaling five and three respectively, while Brown and Curtright both attempted two shots, with one shot on goal. Gertsch and Erika Wilson both put their lone shots on target, while Jamie Maas attempted two shots, and both Harris and Liberty Palmer attempted one. The freshman Brogdon made eight saves in net, with the shutout moving her into a tie for most in the GNAC this season with four.
 
THE BUZZ: Brown was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… with three new goal scorers in today's match, MSUB has now had ten players score in a match this season, equaling the team's total from last season… Harris's assist marked the first assist and point of her MSUB career… Millie Bamer made her Yellowjacket debut in the match.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB continues to fight to climb the GNAC standings next week on the road, kicking off the week's action in Monmouth, Oregon against Western Oregon University on Thursday, October 10. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 PM MT (1:30 PM PT). Live video will be available here, and live statistics will be available here.