MINOT, N.D. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team dropped it's first match of the season in heartbreaking fashion, losing 1-0 to Minot State University in the team's final match before starting Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (3-1-0) and Beavers (2-0-1) struggled to generate much offense in the match, with both teams playing strong defense for the entirety of the game. But it would be Minot State who would generate the game's only goal, scoring in the 85^th minute to pull ahead late and snag the win.
 
Defense was the name of the game in the first half, with neither team able to generate much moving forward behind strong defense from both teams. The Beavers would slightly outshoot the 'Jackets overall 4-3, including a pair of shots on target handled with little issue by MSUB goalkeeper Claire Brogdon. But it would be the Yellowjackets who would generate the most threatening scoring opportunity of the half, with Jamie Maas dribbling through the back line and firing a promising shot towards the bottom left corner. But Minot State's goalkeeper Siriana Gudino would pull off an impressive diving save to deny the Yellowjackets, with the teams remaining knotted in a scoreless draw heading into halftime.
 
The second half would open with more of the same, with the two teams continuing to battle against well structured defenses to find a winner. Both teams would have their opportunities, with MSUB putting two shots on goal and pushing more on the attack, while Minot State attempted three. But the Beaver's final shot on target would be the decider, when with just five minutes left, a cross would find the foot of Maria Pacheco Martinez, with the forward deflecting the ball into the right corner just out of reach of Brogdon to give Minot State a one goal lead, and ending MSUB's streak of 354:57 minutes without allowing a goal to begin the season The 'Jackets would push to equalize in the final minutes, but would be unable to equalize, dropping their first game of the season in heartbreaking fashion.
 
Liberty Palmer led the Yellowjackets with two shots, putting one on goal, while Maas put her lone shot on target. Taylor Gertsch, Maddie Smith, and Jillian Hust each attempted a single shot in the match. Brogdon made two saves in the match, along with a number of impressive clearances and collections of the ball.
 
THE BUZZ: Brogdon was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… Including last year's season finale, the Yellowjacket's elapsed 370:44 consecutive shutout minutes, the seventh longest streak in program history.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets take the next 12 days off, returning to action with their first taste of conference play with a home matchup against Seattle Pacific on Thursday, September 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 PM, with live video available here, and live statistics available here. All home MSUB soccer games operate with a cashless box office, with tickets available for purchase online here. Admission is free for all MSUB staff and students, along with children 8^th grade and younger.