FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Thursday, September 8, 2016 Early goals sink ‘Jackets in 2-0 loss to SF State
San Francisco State scores a pair of first-half goals, and shuts down MSUB as the Yellowjackets fall to the Gators 2-0 on Thursday. BILLINGS, Mont. – With both teams battling strong winds throughout the match, the Montana State University Billings women’s soccer team conceded a pair of first half goals to San Francisco State University and lost 2-0 on Thursday evening in a non-conference game at Yellowjacket Field. Sierra Sagasta headed home the first goal of the match for the visitors in the 17th minute, and Jada Williams followed with the second 10 minutes later as the Gators took command in the first half. Five of MSUB’s shots came in the first half with the wind at its back, but the ‘Jackets couldn’t find the net as they fell to 0-3 on the season with the loss. “This was a tough game, but I think we created a few good chances,” said MSUB head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. “San Francisco State is a good team, and we have to give them credit for coming out here and getting a result.”
The Gators earned their first win of the season, improving to 1-1-1 overall. Making her first start of the year in goal, Christina Holguin had a pair of saves for the visitors and earned her first shutout. One of MSUB’s best chances of the match came early on in the first half, when the ‘Jackets won a pair of corner kicks in succession. Alexa Iacolucci delivered a strong, curling cross into the box, but a promising look towards goal by Jessica Spang was blocked by SFSU’s back line and out for another corner. MSUB failed to connect on the ensuing attempt, as the Gators dodged an early bullet. Sagasta’s goal was created in the offensive third by Williams, who beat a defender and cleared herself some space on the right side of the field. The senior lofted a cross into the box that was just out of the reach of MSUB keeper Lili Delgadillo, and Sagasta was there to head the ball into the back of the net from five yards away.
Sophomore Alycia Wright contributed 42 solid minutes off the bench for MSUB on Thursday.
It was a near miss by Delgadillo, who finished the match with six saves and now has 19 through her first three matches of the season. Despite an excellent one-on-one save by Delgadillo in the 28th minute, SFSU still pushed in its second goal of the match. Taylor Halstenson beat a defender into the box, but her close-range shot was pushed away as Delgadillo raced towards her attacker. This time, Williams gathered in the rebound, turned, and finished a low shot into the bottom corner of the goal to double her team’s lead.
MSUB’s back line played well in front of Delgadillo in the second half, as Kalin Sandow, Courteney Shovlin, Kari Kastelic, and Amanda Hemmen each played the full 90 minutes and bonded together to keep the net empty over the final 45 minutes. Claire Tevaseu and Iacolucci each had an important presence in MSUB’s midfield, while Mackenzie Breeden came off the bench and turned in 66 quality minutes with one shot as well. On the offensive end, Spang led the team with two shots, and Alycia Wright generated consistent momentum down the field in 42 minutes off the bench. “Kari and Amanda did really well in the back, and Claire and Alexa controlled the middle and did a really good job,” said Krakowiak. “Alycia gave us a boost offensively, and when she came in we were a little more dangerous up front.” Overall, SFSU out-shot MSUB 17-6, including 12-1 in the second half as the wind turned into the visitor’s favor. The ‘Jackets won five corner kicks in the match – all taken by Iacolucci – while the Gators had just two. Iacolucci also had one of MSUB’s two shots on frame, but her attempt into the wind from 35 yards out was saved by Holguin. Dana Lubieniecki had the other shot on frame for the ‘Jackets, and totaled 74 minutes in the midfield for the hosts. Sagasta and Kimber Lohman tied for SFSU’s team lead with three shots apiece, while eight different players put shots on frame. “We just have to regroup and look forward to Saturday’s game,” Krakowiak said. “We need to come out and fight for a result.”
THE BUZZ: Tevaseu was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…SFSU improved to 4-0 in the all-time series between the teams… NEXT UP: MSUB hosts the University of Mary, which lost to Western State Colorado University 5-0 earlier at Yellowjacket Field on Thursday, in a match that is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Live video and live statistics will be available for Saturday’s matches, which also includes SF State against WSCU starting at noon Mountain time.
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