BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team was unable to come away with the victory in the teams first taste of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play this season, falling 2-0 at home to Western Oregon University.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-4, 0-1 GNAC) proved more than capable of giving the #16 ranked Wolves (4-1-1, 1-0 GNAC) a game after the first half saw them keep the game level and threaten to take the lead multiple times. But a goal shortly after the second half began would see Western Oregon grab the lead, with the team doubling their advantage in the half to hand MSUB it's first GNAC loss of the season.
 
The early stages of the game would see MSUB assert control over the game, with the Yellowjackets outshooting Western Oregon 4-1 in the opening 20 minutes of action. Two of those looks would come from Cesia Swain, with the junior's opening chance forcing Isabella Lopez into the first save of the game. The Wolves would then see a run of attacking momentum, attempting three shots in a four-minute run of the game, but the Yellowjackets would take advantage of that in the 26^th minute by launching a promising counterattack. That counter would see the 'Jackets nearly take the lead, when Briel Powers would launch a dangerous shot from outside the box. Her shot would hit the crossbar however, preventing MSUB from opening up a lead over Western Oregon. The Wolves would then attempt four more shots in the half. Including two on goal. But MSUB's defense would hold strong, with Natalie Weinmaster making three total first half saves, as the Yellowjackets would keep things level with Western Oregon heading into halftime.
 
Following an excellent run of play in the opening half of action however, an unlucky sequence just two minutes after the second half began would see an attempted clearance take a difficult spin and bounce against the Yellowjackets, with an own goal giving the Wolves the lead. The Wolves would then begin to dominate the attacking chances, outshooting MSUB 11-5 in total during the second half. But MSUB would remain dangerous, with three of their shots forcing the Wolves' goalkeeper Lopez into saves. But the 'Jackets would be unable to find a way past Western Oregon in the end, and in the 78^th minute, the Wolves would finally work a goal of their own, with Cici Lopez finishing off an impressive sequence of passes to give the visitors a 2-0 lead, which they would hold on to until the final horn sounded, with the Yellowjackets finishing on the wrong side of their first GNAC match of the season.
 
Swain would lead MSUB with four total shots and two shots on goal, while Jamie Maas would prove just as dangerous of an attacking outlet, totaling three shots and one shot on goal. Freshman Kennedy Craig would tally MSUB's other shot on goal in the match, while Powers joined Liberty Palmer and Kayden Harwood in attempting one shot. In net, Weinmaster would finish with five saves.
 
THE BUZZ: Maas was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… MSUB now holds a 15-11-7 record all time when facing Western Oregon.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, September 27^th at 12 PM when MSUB takes on Saint Martin's University at Yellowjacket Field. Live video is available on the GNAC Network, while live statistics are available here. Tickets for all MSUB home matches are available for purchase online here.