NAMPA, Idaho – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team finished on the wrong side of a contest against Northwest Nazarene, finishing on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
Looking to wrap up their first week of road games in conference play by getting back in the win column, the Yellowjackets (2-8-0, 1-5-0 GNAC) would show early promise with a first half goal, holding a halftime lead. But after the second half commenced, a trio of goals would flip the result in favor of the Nighthawks (3-6-1, 2-3-1 GNAC), who would rally to defeat MSUB and claim their second conference victory of the season.
 
Both teams would trade shots in the early stages of the first half, with Abby Thompson putting the game's first shot on goal with an effort that was saved by NNU goalkeeper Alex Barrass. The Nighthawks would then rally with five shots within a three-minute span of game action, including a shot on goal followed by a shot that bounced off the top crossbar. But in a back-and-forth half, the 'Jackets would steal back the momentum, pushing for a goal with shots from Liberty Palmer and Kambryn Smith. The team would finally break through in the 27^th minute, with Kennedy Craig laying the ball on to Palmer, who's cross would find the foot of Abby Thompson. The Billings native would one touch the ball into the back of the net, marking the first goal of her Yellowjacket career and handing the Yellowjackets a 1-0 lead, which they would hold on to for the rest of the first half, despite threatening to add to their lead with two more shots on goal.
 
But coming out of halftime, the Nighthawks would find new life, outshooting MSUB 9-3 in the final 45 minutes and not allowing a single shot on goal from the 'Jackets. The hosts would tie the game up in the 49^th minute with a goal from Alexis Cromwell, taking advantage of a mess in the box to level the game, before taking the lead just two minutes later on a strike from Ellie Ritter. The 'Jackets would attempt to even the score while trying to slow down Northwest Nazarene's attack, but would be unable to generate an equalizer, while Cromwell would add an insurance goal in the 58^th minute to give her a brace, and her team a 3-1 win over MSUB.
 
Thompson and Palmer would each total two shots, putting both of their attempts on net. Palmer and Craig would both be credited with assists on Thompson's goal, with Palmer's being her first of the season, while Craig's was both the first of her season and Yellowjacket career. The freshman would also lead MSUB with three shot attempts, putting one on goal. Jamie Maas, Kambryn Smith, and Cesia Swain would each shoot one time in the match. In goal, Emma Powell made four saves.
 
THE BUZZ: Thompson was named as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… Palmer's assist now gives her three points (one goal, one assist) for the season, tying Cesia Swain for the team lead… Craig made her first career start for MSUB in the game, and played her first full 90 minutes, as did Chloe Fredenburg… MSUB is now 21-13-3 all-time against the Nighthawks.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB hits the road again next week, marking the halfway point of GNAC play with it's first conference rematch against Saint Martin's University (1-7-1, 0-4-1 GNAC). The Yellowjackets defeated the Saints 1-0 in the team's previous matchup on Sept. 27 in Billings. The rematch is set for Thursday, October 16 at 1:30 PM MT (12:30 PM PT) in Lacey, Washington at Saints Field. Live video will be available on the GNAC Network, while live statistics will be available here.