LACEY, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team finished it's opening weekend of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on a high note, taking down Saint Martin's University 2-1 to collect the team's first win of the regular season.
A strike shortly before halftime from
Kennedy Craig, and second half header from
Abby Thompson would help lead the Yellowjackets (1-1-4, 1-0-1 GNAC) to a multi-goal lead for the first time in a game this season, which would prove pivotal after the Saints (1-5-1, 0-2-0 GNAC) would halve that lead with over 20 minutes remaining. But despite being outshot 23-7 in the game, and 13-4 in shots on goal, a top performance from MSUB goalkeeper
Tenley Leffler would help the Yellowjacket defense keep the Saints out of the back of the net for the remainder of the game, and put the Yellowjackets in the win column.
Leffler would collect a season-best 12 saves in the match, the most by any individual goalkeeper in the GNAC this season, and the most by a MSUB goalkeeper in a single game since 2022. Meanwhile for the goalscorers, Thompson's finish would be her second goal of the season, giving the junior both her first multi-goal season of her career, as well as her first game-winning goal. Thompson has now scored goals in consecutive games for the first time in her career as well, following her finish against Western Oregon on Thursday. Craig's goal would mark the first goal of her career as a 'Jacket.
Each of MSUB's three players credited with assists on the goals would also be credited with their first career assists and points, with
Kolbi Kiblen earning an assist on Craig's opening goal, while
Cianna Sexton and
Jordyn Daigle would each receive an assist on Thompson's goal.
Thompson attempted four shots in the match, placing two attempts on goal, while both Craig and Kiblen placed one shot on goal.
Ava Gibbs would also shoot once.
Both teams would trade looks in the opening four minutes, but that run would give way to a dominant stretch of offensive control for the Saints, who after being outshot by MSUB 3-1 in the first 10:37 of the match, would attempt the next eight shots of the match, including five shots on goal. But Leffler would prove hard to beat in net, finishing the first half with six saves to keep the game level.
That scoreline would hold until the 38
th minute, when after receiving the ball from Kiblen, Craig would take a pair of dribbles, before hitting a curling shot off her left foot that would best the Saint Martin's goalkeeper, and give the Yellowjackets the lead on the final shot of the half, with both teams scraping in the midfield over the remaining minutes of the first half.
Saint Martin's would open the second half with the first three shots of the final 45 minutes, but two more saves from Leffler and a block would help the 'Jackets prevent a quick equalizer to start the second half. Then in the game's 57
th minute, a good passage of give-and-go play would see Sexton play a ball to Daigle at the top of the box, which the freshman would cross into the back post to find the head of Thompson, who's looping header would go over a leaping goalkeeper to double MSUB's lead.
The Saints would continue to push their way back into the game, finally getting the best of the Yellowjackets in the 69
th minute on a goal from Bella Gonzales. But despite a strong push down the stretch from the hosts, MSUB would hold strong, keeping the Saints off the scoresheet for the final 21 minutes behind strong defending, and six more second half saves from Leffler, with the final whistle sealing a hard-fought win for the 'Jackets on the road.
THE BUZZ: Leffler was named the Player of the Game… the freshman shot stopper has collected a conference leading 38 saves so far this season and a 84.4 save percentage, along with contributing the top three save performances in a game by any goalie in the conference this season… MSUB has collected four points from an available six to open the first week of GNAC action, currently sitting fourth in the conference standings.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets extend their road trip into next week as they continue their GNAC campaign, heading to Bellingham, Washington next Thursday, September 24 for a battle with defending regular season champions Western Washington University. Kickoff is schedule for 8 PM MT (7 PM PT) at Harrington Field, with live video available on the
GNAC Network, and live statistics
available here.
