FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Thursday, September 10, 2015 Late goal not enough for ‘Jackets in 2-1 loss at SF State
Alycia Wright scores her second goal of the season, but MSUB can’t overcome a 2-0 first-half deficit in a 2-1 loss to San Francisco State on Thursday. SAN FRANCISCO – For the second time this season, Jessica Spang assisted Alycia Wright on a goal for the Montana State University Billings women’s soccer team, but the score in the 84th minute wasn’t enough to lift the Yellowjackets as host San Francisco State University picked up a 2-1 win on Thursday at Cox Stadium. The Gators (1-2) scored twice in the first half – once on an MSUB own goal – and held on through a fierce comeback effort in the second half by MSUB to collect their first win of the season. For the Yellowjackets (1-1-1), freshman Bailey Griglio led the team with three shots on the game, and Spang placed both of the shots she took on target. Goalkeeper Lili Delgadillo had five saves for the ‘Jackets, helping keep her team in the match down to the final whistle. The Gators earned an early corner kick, but the offside flag was raised before SFSU could attempt a shot in the eighth minute. Just two minutes later however, an own goal on a loose ball in MSUB’s box got the Gators out to an early 1-0 lead.
Spang, the reigning GNAC Player of the Week, responded with a shot on goal directly following the kickoff after SFSU’s goal, but Karin Nordin was there to collect her first save of the match. Delgadillo made the first of her four first-half saves in the 13th minute, denying Brittany Oldham of a goal. In the 20th minute, Griglio missed high with a shot, and the ‘Jackets failed to get a good look towards goal on an ensuing corner kick served in by Elizabeth Howard. Delgadillo did well to knock away a shot by Kelsey Wetzstein in the 41st minute, but it led to a dangerous scoring chance as SFSU earned a corner kick. Wetzstein curled a cross into the box, and Hannah Mikles found it with her head to double the Gators’ lead less than five minutes before the halftime whistle. Howard had one final attempt for the ‘Jackets in the 44th minute, but her shot from the top of the box missed over the crossbar. Keeping its lead as the second half started, Kimber Lohman nearly made it 3-0 with a shot off the post in the 64th minute. Fresh into the game off the bench, Griglio forced Nordin to make another save with a good look in the 67th minute. The Yellowjackets upped the offensive pressure as the game moved into the closing minutes, pushing forward seeking offensive opportunities to get back into the match. Delgadillo saved the day on a wild scramble in the box on a corner kick in the 81st minute, diving to keep the ball out of the net and give the ‘Jackets hope. With time winding down, Spang got her foot on a cross from a corner kick by Howard. The Gators’ back line knocked down the shot to keep it out of the net, but Wright was there to kick in the rebound and pull MSUB within one, 2-1. The game wound up fairly even in shots, with SFSU holding a narrow 16-15 edge and a 9-5 advantage in shots on target. Each team won four corner kicks, and MSUB had 10 fouls while the Gators had eight. Delgadillo was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game for MSUB as her five saves helped keep the game close.
Freshman Alycia Wright.
COMING UP: The Yellowjackets remain in San Francisco to challenge the Academy of Art on Saturday, with a 1 p.m. Mountain time kickoff scheduled. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--