FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, September 3, 2015 Wright’s golden goal pushes MSUB women to 3-2 OT win over Carroll
Alycia Wright scores the game-winning goal with 22 seconds left in the first overtime period as MSUB wins its first game of the 2015 season 3-2 over Carroll College on Thursday. BILLINGS, Mont. – With just 22 seconds remaining in the first overtime period, freshman Alycia Wright banged home a golden goal to push the Montana State University Billings women’s soccer team to a tight 3-2 victory over visiting Carroll College in the team’s season-opener Thursday afternoon at Yellowjacket Field. Sophomore Jessica Spang provided the assist on the play, after scoring her first goal of the season in the 49th minute to give MSUB a 2-1 lead. “That was really pure technique from Alycia, and she controlled the ball well and hit a half-volley,” commented MSUB head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. “It is rare to see those goals in college.” “We were tied, so I just wanted to shoot and hopefully aim on frame and get my hips over the ball,” Wright said referring to her game-winner. “It took me a minute, but when I realized the ball was curving down I knew it was going to go in. It was a big relief and a lot of excitement, knowing we just won our first game of the season and on our home field as well.”
The Yellowjackets (1-0), kept control of the game overall with 15 shots compared with five by Carroll. The Saints did hold an advantage in corner kicks however, 6-3. “This was a tough game, and our team really showed a lot of character and pushed through to the very end,” said junior captain Dana Lubieniecki. “This really sets the tone for our season and I think we are going to do great things.” Jamie Carter made three saves in goal for Carroll, which fell to 1-2 on the season with the loss. “We will take a lot of good notes from this game and get ready for Mary on Saturday,” Krakowiak said. “I like how the team kept fighting, and at the end of the day we got the win and got the job done.” The Saints earned a corner kick within the first five minutes, and MSUB keeper Chloe Hopps came off of her line strongly to snag the cross out of the air and prevent a shot. MSUB caught a break on a loose ball in the box 13 minutes into the game, as a header by Carroll’s back line was misdirected into the team’s own net for an own goal. With 15 minutes before the half, Spang played a through ball into the box for Wright. Carter came off her line and slid to the ball before the Yellowjacket freshman could get to it and take a shot. Carroll capitalized just before the half, as Tayla Vaira tucked away a goal on a ball from Katey Friedt to make the score 11. The ‘Jackets opened the second half with a golden chance, winning a free kick on the right side of the field near the goal box. Curling in a cross, Elizabeth Howard got the ball into a crowded box and Spang punched it into the net from six yards out to give MSUB a 2-1 lead. “Jessica is a very strong player, and we are lucky to have her on the team,” Lubieniecki said. “She is always getting into the right position and takes advantage of important moments.” Howard nearly earned another assist with 10 minutes gone in the second, serving in a high corner kick from the left side. Kari Kastelic beat her defender and got her head on the ball, but her attempt missed just high over the bar. Keeping on the offensive, Brittney Greenback rattled the crossbar with a powerful, left-footed shot from the top of the 18-yard box. The Saints broke through with a counter attack however, as Kristyn Bohlander served a high shot over Hopps from 25 yards out and evened the score at 2-2. Wright played a nice through ball into the box midway through the second half, but a shot by Bailey Griglio missed just high. Creating a chance out of the defensive third, Katlyn Lokay carried the ball upfield and laid it off to Hayley Warren. The junior touched the ball off to Griglio, who caught it in stride but missed just wide with a strong shot to the far post from 20 yards away from goal. With 10 minutes remaining, back-to-back shots by Greenback and Spang narrowly missed the frame of the goal, as the ‘Jackets kept the pressure on Carroll’s back line.
With neither team making a breakthrough, the game appeared to be headed for a second overtime period. The ‘Jackets finally found home however, as Wright tucked in her first collegiate goal to end the game and send MSUB into a celebration on the field. NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets will head to the University of Mary for another preseason match on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and live video and statistics will be available via www.msubsports.com. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--