BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team kicked off the 2024 season on a high note, defeating University of Mary 1-0 to conclude the first day of action of the Ninth Annual Rimrock Classic.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-0-0) and Marauders (0-1-0) battled hard in an intense nightcap to day one of two-day tournament, with the two teams combining for 41 total shots in the match. It would be the hosts who would emerge victorious however, with a 70^th minute debut goal from freshman Jamie Maas proving to be the deciding moment of the match, with MSUB seeing things out from that point to open the regular season in winning fashion.
 
Chances came early in the first half for both teams, with the Marauders attempting the game's first shot in the third minute before the Yellowjackets threatened with three attempts in the next three minutes. It would set the tone for a first half in which both teams narrowly missed taking the lead. The 'Jackets attempted five shots on goal, along with an effort from Kendall McGraw that hit off the top of the crossbar, while in addition to their three shots on goal, Mary would hit the crossbar themselves twice in the half. But between some tough last second defending, and a trio of saves from Clare Brogdon, the 'Jackets and the Marauders would head into the break tied and still looking to find a way onto the scoresheet.
 
The teams would continue to trade stretches of attacking dominance as the second half commenced. The Yellowjackets attempted the first three shots of the half, before the Marauders attempted the next four, forcing two more Brogdon saves. The trend continued on, with both teams desperate to break through when in the 70^th minute, the halftime substitution Maas would take advantage of her opportunity. After an excellent pass from Erika Wilson would break through the Mary backline, the freshman midfielder would run onto it, taking a touch before neatly tucking the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, giving the 'Jackets the advantage they had been fighting for. The Marauders would continue to threaten, attempting seven shots in the final 20 minutes of play, but the Yellowjacket defense would hold strong, seeing out the match for the 'Jackets to give MSUB both the win and a shutout.
 
Maas attempted a pair of shots in the game, both on goal, while forward Liberty Palmer also put two shots on goal, leading the Yellowjackets with five total shot attempts in the game. McGraw and Jackie Sharpe each attempted three shots, while both Jillian Hust and Maddie Smith each put their lone shots on goal. Taylor Gertsch would attempt one shot, while the midfield duo of her and Wilson joined defenders Sunny Bennion and Megan Mendenhall as the four outfield player to play a full 90 minutes. In net, Brogdon finished the match with seven saves, collecting the first shutout of her career.
 
THE BUZZ: Maas was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… the freshman was joined by Brogdon, Ava Curtright, Abby Thompson, Grace Bittner, and Nyah Attaway in making their regular season debuts for the Yellowjackets… Wilson's assist was the second of her Yellowjacket career… excluding the Covid impacted 2021 spring season, the Yellowjackets won their first season opening match since 2015 against Carroll College, and kept a clean sheet in their debut for the first time since 2013 versus Utah Tech (then Dixie State University).
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets conclude the 2024 Rimrock Classic with a match Saturday, September 7 against Carroll College. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 PM at Yellowjacket Field, with live video available here, and live statistics available here. Tickets are available for purchase online here.