ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team would be bested on the road by Central Washington University on Saturday, falling 2-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
The Yellowjackets (2-7-5, 2-6-2 GNAC) would fall behind in the first half to the Wildcats (4-7-4, 4-4-2 GNAC), with the hosts doubling their lead on a goal following a blocked penalty kick.
Jordyn Daigle would put one in the back of the net late in the second half to help MSUB half the lead, but the 'Jackets would be unable to overcome the deficit, falling to Central Washington to conclude their week on the road.
Daigle would attempt two shots in the match, placing both of her efforts on goal. Her goal would mark the first of her collegiate career, while moving her up to three points on the season with a goal and an assist.
Abby Thompson would attempt MSUB's other shot on goal in the game on her lone attempt.
Maggie James would attempt two shots, while
Cesia Swain and
Peyton Tarabokija would shoot once.
In net,
Tenley Leffler would make 11 saves, marking her third game with double-digit saves this season. The freshman would increase her conference-leading saves total to 88, climbing to seventh all-time on MSUB's single-season saves list. One of Leffler's saves would also come from the penalty spot, marking the first PK save of her career.
Leffler would be called into action twice in the first ten minutes, saving both efforts while the ball spent the majority of the opening minutes in the midfield. But the Wildcat offense would kick into gear to make the first half a busy one for MSUB defensively, with Central Washington outshooting MSUB 9-1 in the first half, putting six efforts on goal. Their efforts would be rewarded in the 35
th minute, when Alexa Stanfield fired a shot across goal into the bottom left corner, putting the 'Jackets behind and chasing a goal before halftime.
The second half would remain a busy affair for the Yellowjacket's defense, with the Wildcats attempting four shots in the first ten minutes of the second half to keep the pressure high. MSUB would find it's first shot on goal in the match in the 59
th minute from Thompson, but the effort would be handled by CWU goalkeeper Danika Galbraith to keep her team ahead. The comeback effort would become more difficult in the 65
th minute, when a foul in the box would see the Wildcats awarded with a penalty kick. That effort would be turned away by a diving Leffler, but the Wildcats would rush the box, with Jaylee Reynolds tapping in their second goal.
MSUB's offense would find some openings after the restart with strong looks from Daigle and Swain, but the Wildcats would continue to attack strong in their pursuit of a chance, outshooting MSUB overall 14-6 in the second half. But Leffler would stand tall, making four total saves in a three-minute stretch of play with two more blocks by the Yellowjacket defense shortly after to keep the scoreline where it was. The 'Jackets would finally breakthrough following a blocked shot attempt by Tarabokija, with the ensuing scramble seeing Daigle find the ball and send a lobbed effort over a recovering goalkeeper and the outstretched leg of a defender to put the 'Jackets behind by one, but MSUB would be unable to find a shot on goal in the remaining minutes of the match, with the Wildcats holding on to take the win despite the 'Jackets late push.
THE BUZZ: Daigle was named the Player of the Game… Daigle became the fifth different Yellowjacket to score a goal this season, and the second to record both a goal and an assist on the campaign…
Ava Curtright would once again play 90 minutes in defense, playing the full match for the 14
th time this season, and leading all Yellowjacket outfield players in minutes… Leffler has now totaled the top three single-game save totals in the conference this season, and five of the top ten efforts.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will return home to host a pair of home matches next week, beginning the penultimate week of regular season play with a matchup against Simon Fraser University on October 22 at Yellowjacket Soccer Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM, with tickets available to purchase
online here. Live video can be found on the
GNAC Network, and live statistics are
available here.
