BURNABY, BC. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team would be unable to find a result against #25 Simon Fraser University, falling 1-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
Facing an uphill climb on the road against a nationally ranked conference foe, the Yellowjackets (3-12-0, 2-9-0 GNAC) responded well to the challenge, matching the Red Leafs (11-2-2, 8-2-1 GNAC) in shots (10) and shots on goal (4). The only thing separating the two squads would be a goal by Simon Fraser early in the second half, a finish that would hand MSUB an unfortunate loss despite a promising road showing.
 
After firing off the game's first shot of the game in the opening minute, MSUB would find itself on the defense early in the match, with the Red Leafs firing off five shots in the first 16 minutes of action, including a pair of shots on goal just 22 seconds apart. But Natalie Weinmaster would handle both of those shots to keep SFU off the scoreboard, while the 'Jackets would begin to shift the flow of the game back in their favor. Liberty Palmer would threaten with a pair of shots, including MSUB's first shot on goal in the match in the 40^th minute, but Simon Fraser goalie Sarah Loewen would save her effort, and Weinmaster would save one more first half shot just two minutes before the break. The 'Jackets would attempt to break through once more before the break with a pair of efforts off a corner kick a minute before halftime, but neither effort would go in, sending MSUB and SFU into the break level at zero.
 
But just minutes after the second half kicked off, Simon Fraser would find their break on the team's final shot on goal of the match, with a 51^st minute effort from Kaiden Sherwood finding the back of the net to put the Red Leafs ahead. There would be plenty of soccer left to be played however, and MSUB would hardly roll over, outshooting the hosts 5-1 the rest of the way and putting three attempts on goal. Palmer would test Loewen once more in the 54^th minute, with fellow senior Nyah Attaway putting a shot on goal in the 58^th minute. Cesia Swain would threaten to score with MSUB's final shot on net in the 63^rd to no avail, but following that, both teams would struggle to find looks, each team attempting just one more shot the rest of the way. Despite the 'Jackets chances, the squad would be unable to find an equalizer, falling narrowly on the road to Simon Fraser.
 
Palmer would lead MSUB with three total shots and two shots on goal. Swain would attempt two shots with one on net, while Attaway put her lone effort of the match on goal. Kambryn Smith attempted two shots, while Jamie Maas and Peyton Tarabokija shot once. Weinmaster would finish the game with three saves, all coming in the opening 45 minutes.
 
THE BUZZ: Palmer was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB will continue it's road trip with it's second Top 25 matchup of the week, taking on #12 Western Washington University at Harrington Field in Bellingham, WA. Kickoff is set for 2 PM MT (1 PM PT), with live video available on the GNAC Network, and live statistics available here.