SPEARFISH, S.D. – Taking part in it's final non-conference game before heading into conference play next week, the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team would battle hard to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with Black Hills State University.
In a battle between two schools with the same mascot, the Yellow Jackets (3-0-2) of Black Hills State would pull ahead first after controlling the majority of the game's chances in the first half. But The Yellowjackets (0-1-3) of MSUB would continue to battle back, with
Ava Gibbs netting an equalizing goal from a corner kick ten minutes into the second half to pull the game level, and help MSUB earn a hard-fought result on the road.
Gibbs would score her goal from her lone shot in the game, with the junior transfer scoring her first career goal as a Yellowjacket. She would be assisted by
Kelsie Cox, who would collect her first career assist in the match as well.
Kolbi Kiblen would shoot three times, putting each of her shots on goal, while
Ava Curtright would attempt an additional three shots, and
Cesia Swain would shoot once. In net for the 'Jackets,
Tenley Leffler would finish with six saves.
Black Hills State would control the chances in the beginning stages of the first half, firing the game's first five shots, including a pair of shots on goal. But both efforts on frame would be rebuffed by Leffler, before MSUB would find it's first great chance of the game from Kiblen, a shot to the top right corner that would be saved impressively by Black Hills State goalkeeper Rian Barthel. The home team would continue to push however, and would finally break through in the 22
nd minute, with Ivy Agee slotting home the game's opening goal to give the Yellow Jackets an early lead. MSUB would be outshot by Black Hills State 11-3 in the first 45 minutes, including 6-1 in shots on goal, but five first half saves from Leffler would help keep the lead at 1-0 heading into the break.
But after coming out of the halftime break looking for some momentum, the Yellowjackets would find some momentum defensively, adjusting to limit Black Hills State's chances in the match, holding the hosts to just 4 shots in the second half, and just one shot on goal. After a strong start to the half, MSUB would find an equalizer in the 55
th minute, finding their break off a corner kick. A ball played in from Cox would find the head of a rising Gibbs, who would blast it past to bring the match back to level. Both teams would continue to battle, and each would find promising opportunities for an equalizer in the final ten minutes, with a look from a corner from Black Hills State seeing Leffler pull off another save, while in the final minute of action, Kiblen would find her way through the Yellow Jackets defense, forcing a save. Neither team would ultimately find separation though, with MSUB finishing with it's third tie in four non-conference games.
THE BUZZ: Gibbs was named the Player of the Game for the Yellowjackets… through non-conference play, no player in the GNAC has attempted more shots (13) or shots on goal (6) thus far than
Cesia Swain… Leffler ranks third in the GNAC in total saves with 18, and in save percentage at 78.3%.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will look to get in the win column as they open GNAC play on the road next week, kicking off four straight road contests against conference foes on Thursday, September 17 with a matchup against Western Oregon University. The match is set to kick off at 3 PM MT (2 PM PT) at WOU Soccer Field in Monmouth, Oregon. Live video can be found on the
GNAC Network, while live statistics for the game will be
available here.
