BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team would come up just short against Simon Fraser University at home, falling 1-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
The Yellowjackets (2-8-5, 2-7-2 GNAC) would hold level with the Red Leafs (10-3-2, 8-2-1 GNAC) for the majority of the match, playing the visitors tough. But Simon Fraser would avenge the Yellowjackets early season upset on the road, scoring late in the second half to pull ahead and hold on to take the win.
The Red Leafs would outshoot MSUB 18-6 overall, and 9-2 in shots on goal, with SFU attempting seven corner kicks to the 'Jackets one.
Tenley Leffler would make six total saves in the match, while a pair of impressive blocks would see MSUB collect a pair of team saves across the back line.
Cesia Swain would attempt two shots, while
Ava Curtright,
Macee Abraham,
Vivian Gaither, and
Kelsie Cox would each shoot once. Gaither and Cox would attempt MSUB's two shots on goal in the match. Leffler, Curtright, and Cox would also play a full 90 minutes, as would
Cianna Sexton and
Ava Gibbs.
The contest would start slow, with both teams battling for control, but the Red Leads would show early threat, attempting three shots in the first 15 minutes, with the first two requiring saves from Leffler. The 'Jackets would then earn a free kick in the 18
th minute, with Cox threatening to put MSUB ahead with a long attempt on goal. But that effort would be collected by a diving goalkeeper, with the teams then trading shots across the next few minutes. The Red Leafs would kick on towards the end of the first half, attempting the period's final five shots, but MSUB's defense would hold strong, preventing the Red Leafs from taking a lead before the break.
The two sides would then trade chances across the first 20 minutes of the second half, with the only chance on frame coming from the Red Leafs, which Leffler would handle. But in the 76
th minute, Simon Fraser would finally find their breakthrough moment, with a quick ball out to the wing being crossed back in to conference points leader Kiera Scott, who would put the cross home to stick the visitors ahead. The 'Jackets would see off all attempts to double their advantage down the stretch, but the 'Jacket would be unable to convert their only shot following the goal, sealing their defeat to the Red Leafs.
THE BUZZ: Peyton Tarabokija would be named the Player of the Game… Leffler would increase her save total on the season to 94, moving into sixth all-time by a goalkeeper in a single season in MSUB history… Leffler ranks 23
rd in the country in saves… the game marked the final match between the MSUB and Simon Fraser before the Red Leafs departure from the NCAA and GNAC, with MSUB accumulating a 14-15-1 record all-time versus SFU.
UP NEXT: MSUB will return to action on Saturday, October 24, playing host in a ranked battle versus #8 Western Washington University. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 PM, with live video available on the
GNAC Network, and live statistics are
available here. Tickets can be purchased
online here.
