MISSOULA, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team mounted a strong second-half push but was unable to erase an early deficit, falling 2-1 to NCAA Division I Montana in an exhibition match Sunday afternoon at South Campus Stadium.
The Yellowjackets (0-0-1, 0-0 GNAC) showed resilience after trailing by two goals at halftime, outplaying the Grizzlies for stretches of the second half and cutting the deficit to one before threatening for an equalizer in the closing minutes.
MSUB finished with seven shots, placing three on target, while limiting Montana to just five shots on goal despite facing 10 total attempts. Freshman goalkeeper
Tenley Leffler turned aside three saves in her second collegiate start, while the Yellowjacket back line held the Grizzlies scoreless over the final 45 minutes.
Junior defender
Ava Curtright led the MSUB attack, scoring the Yellowjackets' lone goal on her only shot of the afternoon. Her strike in the 55th minute marked the first goal ever scored by MSUB against the University of Montana in the five all-time meetings between the programs.
Cesia Swain paced the Yellowjackets with three shots, including one on goal, while
Kennedy Craig added a shot on target.
Kolbi Kiblen and
Emmersyn Burckley each recorded a shot as MSUB generated offensive pressure throughout the second half.
GAME FLOW
Montana controlled possession early and earned the first corner kick of the afternoon before breaking through in the 16th minute. After a foul inside the penalty area, the Grizzlies converted the ensuing penalty kick to claim a 1-0 advantage.
The Yellowjackets responded with their first offensive opportunities midway through the opening half. Kiblen fired MSUB's first shot of the contest before Swain tested Montana goalkeeper Avery Heeb with a low shot that forced a save. Swain created another dangerous opportunity moments later with an attempt that sailed just over the crossbar, but the Grizzlies continued to pressure the MSUB defense.
Leffler came up with a pair of key saves late in the first half, denying a pair of Montana scoring chances to keep the deficit at one. The Grizzlies eventually found their second breakthrough in the 37th minute, connecting on a cross into the penalty area that was finished from close range to take a 2-0 lead into halftime.
MSUB wasted little time shifting the momentum after the break. Following several strong defensive possessions to open the half, the Yellowjackets capitalized in the 55th minute when Curtright found the back of the net, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The goal not only brought MSUB within striking distance but also etched Curtright into the record books, as her finish became the first goal ever scored by the Yellowjackets against Montana.
The goal sparked an energetic finish from MSUB as the Yellowjackets continued to push numbers forward in search of the equalizer. Swain and Burckley each created chances during the second half before Craig nearly tied the match in the 87th minute, forcing Heeb to make one final save. Montana managed just three shots after halftime as the Yellowjacket defense frustrated the Grizzlies throughout the final 45 minutes, but MSUB was unable to find the late breakthrough before the final whistle.
UP NEXT: MSUB returns to Yellowjacket Field on Thursday, Sept. 3, to host Minnesota State Moorhead in its home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
