BURNABY, B.C. — In a battle that saw the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team withstand one of the GNAC's toughest opponents, the Yellowjackets delivered a statement on the road Saturday afternoon, knocking off Simon Fraser 1-0 at Terry Fox Field for a dramatic conference victory.
The Yellowjackets (2-2-4, 2-1-1 GNAC) moved to seven points in conference play with the victory and, as of the conclusion of Saturday's match, sit in third place in the conference standings. The win also snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Red Leafs, marking MSUB's first victory over Simon Fraser since a 2-1 overtime win on Oct. 9, 2021. The victory came against a Simon Fraser team that entered the week receiving votes in the latest NCAA Division II women's soccer national poll.
MSUB would strike first in the 18th minute and never surrender its advantage.
Abby Thompson created the opportunity with a long-range effort from approximately 25 yards out, and
Emmersyn Burckley finished inside the right post at the 17:08 mark to put the 'Jackets ahead 1-0. The goal was Burckley's second of the season and the first game-winning goal of her career, while Thompson's assist marked the first of her career.
Simon Fraser applied significant pressure throughout the remainder of the opening half, but MSUB goalkeeper
Tenley Leffler and the Yellowjackets' back line repeatedly kept the Red Leafs from finding an equalizer. Simon Fraser attempted 17 shots in the opening 45 minutes, putting eight on target, but Leffler came up with save after save as the 'Jackets carried their one-goal advantage into halftime.
MSUB finished the first half with just three shots, but made its limited opportunities count. Following Thompson's opening shot in the third minute, Burckley's finish and a save on
Kennedy Craig's effort gave the Yellowjackets three shots and two on goal in the opening half. Simon Fraser, meanwhile, continued to control the shot count, but could not solve Leffler.
The Red Leafs came out of halftime looking to level the match and continued to generate opportunities around the MSUB penalty area. Simon Fraser put another 14 shots toward goal during the second half and earned four corner kicks, but the Yellowjackets' defensive shape remained organized as the match progressed.
One of the game's biggest moments came in the 55th minute, when Simon Fraser was awarded a penalty kick. Sofia Faremo stepped to the spot, but Leffler made the save to preserve MSUB's 1-0 lead. The stop helped the Yellowjackets maintain their advantage through the final 35 minutes as Simon Fraser continued searching for an equalizer.
The Red Leafs continued to pressure the 'Jackets late, including three consecutive corner kicks in the final four minutes, but MSUB's defense refused to break. Leffler came through with another save in the 85th minute, and the Yellowjackets closed out the clean sheet to secure the road victory.
Leffler's performance was central to the result, as she recorded 10 saves to earn the second highest save total of her career and the second shutout of her career. The Yellowjackets were outshot 31-3 overall, but Leffler and the MSUB defense limited Simon Fraser to zero goals despite the Red Leafs putting 11 shots on target.
Burckley scored once on one shot and recorded her second goal of the season, while Thompson finished with one shot on goal and her first career assist. Craig also put her lone shot on target. The Yellowjackets' defensive group of
Ava Curtright,
Kolbi Kiblen,
Vivian Gaither,
Kelsie Cox and
Ava Gibbs each played all 90 minutes, helping MSUB withstand the Red Leafs' sustained offensive pressure.
With the victory, the Yellowjackets now have seven GNAC points through four conference matches and remain in the upper portion of the league standings entering the remainder of Saturday's action.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets return home Thursday, Oct. 1, hosting Central Washington in a GNAC matchup at Yellowjacket Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
