BILLINGS, Mont. – Kicking off it's final two-game homestand of the season, the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team would drop a tightly-contested match against Northwest Nazarene University, falling 1-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (2-11-0, 1-8-0 GNAC) threatened to score the entire game, with MSUB outshooting the Nighthawks (4-7-2, 3-4-2 GNAC) 21-11 overall, and 8-3 in shots on goal. But despite looking to be the more threatening of the two teams in attack for the majority of the game, the 'Jackets would concede a second half goal to fall behind. MSUB would continue to push forward to find an equalizer, but would be unable to even the score before the final whistle, collecting an unlucky loss.
 
Erika Wilson would give MSUB an early chance with the game's first shot in the fourth minute, and would help set the tone for the Yellowjackets who would get forward and attack quickly. MSUB would attempt six first half shots, putting half of their attempts on goal. But efforts on target from Abby Thompson, Jamie Maas, and Nyah Attaway would each be saved by NNU goalkeeper Alex Barrass. The Nighthawks would have their chances, including multiple rebound efforts on a dangerous ball in the box, and a long range shot that would strike off the crossbar. But MSUB's defense would continue to clear the danger each time, keeping the game knotted as 0-0 going into halftime.
 
MSUB would continue to chase a goal as the second half kicked off, keeping Northwest Nazarene's backline on it's toes. The Yellowjackets attempted 11 shots in the opening 20 minutes of the half, including one shot on goal and a pair of narrow misses wide from Maas, Kambryn Smith, and Liberty Palmer. But despite the 'Jackets dominating the chances in the second half, it would be the Nighthawks who would break the deadlock off a free kick in the 68^th minute, with Abbie Blancett's ball into the box being driven home off the chest of Ellie Ritter, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. The Yellowjackets would continue to create opportunities for an equalizer as the game ticked away, including shots on goal from Palmer and Cianna Sexton in the final three minutes of action. But NNU's defense would never break, hanging on long enough to seal a road victory, and see the 'Jackets leave the match empty handed despite a strong showing.
 
Eight total Yellowjackets would register a shot on goal in the match. Maas would lead MSUB in shots with a career-high five, while Cesia Swain attempted four, both putting on shot on goal. Palmer would shoot three times with a shot on net, while Wilson, Attaway, Thompson, and Smith would each shoot twice with a shot on goal. Sexton would put her lone shot of the match on target. Meanwhile in net, Natalie Weinmaster would make a pair of saves.
 
THE BUZZ: Maas was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… MSUB's 21 total shots as a team marked a season high.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets wrap up their current homestand with a match on Saturday, October 25^th against Central Washington University. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 PM at Yellowjacket Field, with a ceremony for MSUB's five seniors scheduled to begin 20 minutes before kickoff. Live video of the match is available on the GNAC Network, while live statistics are available here, and tickets are available for purchase online here.