NAMPA, Idaho – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team would come up short on the road, falling 1-0 to Northwest Nazarene University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
The Yellowjackets (2-6-5, 2-5-2 GNAC) would find their chances in the match, but the Nighthawks (3-7-3, 3-4-2 GNAC) would outshoot the 'Jackets 18-5 overall in the match, controlling the majority of the games chances, capitalizing on a moment in the 32
nd minute to take the lead in the match, and hold on to take the victory.
Tenley Leffler would make six saves in net, pushing her save total to 77 on the season. That total not only leads the conference, but moved the freshman into ninth for career saves in just her first season of action, and tenth in program history for saves in a single season. Leffler holds 21 saves more than the next goalie in the GNAC, while also holding a save percentage of .846, second best in the conference.
Jordyn Daigle meanwhile would attempt two shots in the game, putting each chance on goal.
Ava Curtright would attempt one shot on goal, while
Kolbi Kiblen and
Cianna Sexton would each shoot once.
The Nighthawks would attempt the game's first 11 shots across the opening 40 minutes of action, where they took early control of the attacking momentum while limiting chances for MSUB. Their offensive efforts would be rewarded in the 32
nd minute with a goal from Attie Jo Westbrook, who would put the hosts ahead with an effort into the bottom left corner. MSUB would nearly equalize in the final minute of the half, with a pair of shots blocked by Nighthawk defenders and an effort from Daigle that forced a difficult save from NNU goalkeeper Alex Barrass, keeping the Nighthawks ahead at the half.
NNU would outshoot the 'Jackets again in the second half, attempting the half's first five looks and outshooting the 'Jackets 7-2 overall. Leffler would handle the Nighthawks lone shot on goal in the half with little issue, while MSUB would find a pair of chances to equalize with efforts on goal from Daigle and Curtright in the final 15 minutes. But neither player would be able to put an equalizer in the back of the net, with Northwest Nazarene holding on to take the victory.
THE BUZZ: Leffler was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
UP NEXT: MSUB will square off next against Central Washington University, heading to Ellensburg, WA on Saturday, October 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 PM MT (11 AM PT), with live video available on the
GNAC Network, and live statistics available
online here.
