FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Saturday, September 24, 2016 Yellowjackets’ back line earns team’s first shutout in 0-0 draw against Concordia Saturday
All four defenders and goalkeeper Lili Delgadillo played 110 minutes on Saturday as the Yellowjackets earned a point with a 0-0, double-overtime draw at home against Concordia University. BILLINGS, Mont. – A complete-game effort from all four defenders and goalkeeper Lili Delgadillo from the Montana State University Billings women’s soccer team helped the Yellowjackets to a 0-0, double-overtime draw against Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent Concordia University at Yellowjacket Field on Saturday. Center backs Kari Kastelic and Amanda Hemmen, and outside backs Kalin Sandow and Courteney Shovlin each played the entire match, holding strong and battling against a constant, blistering wind that heavily influenced the run of play. “We played as a team today, and this was a very complete performance from us,” said MSUB head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. “Concordia is a good team, but as a team we stuck together and earned a point. We created a few awesome chances, and we were very organized in the back.” Previously-unbeaten Concordia moved to 7-0-1 on the season with the draw, while MSUB’s record now sits at 1-4-2 on the year. Concordia remains three points ahead of MSUB in the conference standings, as the Cavaliers’ league record is 2-0-1 while the ‘Jackets sit at 1-0-1.
With the wind at their back in the first half, the Yellowjackets created a handful of offensive chances with three shots in the opening 45 minutes. MSUB nearly went ahead 17 minutes into the game, as it took a leaping save from CU keeper Olivia Brock to push a shot from Kylee Wolfe over the crossbar. Delgadillo had a crucial stop with 13 minutes to play before halftime, racing off of her line and sliding to stop a through ball towards the top of the box. The sophomore totaled six saves in the match, and earned her second career shutout after facing a career-high 21 shots overall. “Our back line did amazing,” Delgadillo said. “We did a lot of defensive work throughout the week (at practice), and it’s really good to see a lot of that being implemented out on the field.”
Courteney Shovlin (11) works against Concordia’s Karlie Hurley during Saturay’s double-overtime, 0-0 draw at Yellowjacket Field.
The Cavaliers put up eight shots in the opening half, and raced into the second period with the wind at their backs. Keeping the Yellowjackets trapped in their defensive third for long stretches in the second, MSUB’s back line was constantly pressed to shield the ball out of play and make crucial tackles to prevent chances from being created. Hemmen chased down multiple opponents in the corner, and her effort shut down multiple crosses before they reached the box. “It was definitely really hard in the second half with the wind against us, and they kept pressing us the whole time,” said Hemmen, who was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game. “Courteney did a really good job on the left at outside back next to me, and it was really nice to have her there. Kalin also did amazing, and we just all worked together as a unit.”
Handling many of MSUB’s throw-ins deep in its defensive third, Shovlin continuously made smart decisions and helped the team play out of trouble effectively. Her strong first step was the key to winning multiple tackles, many of which took place inside or around the Yellowjackets’ goal box. Perhaps the best chance of the game for MSUB came on a cross into the goal box, where Dana Lubieniecki wound up with the ball at her feet and was eight yards away from the net. Her shot was on frame, but Brock smothered it to keep the match scoreless midway through the second period. After withstanding nine more shots and constant pressure for the second 45 minutes, the ‘Jackets were rewarded with the wind at their backs to start the first overtime period. The team’s third and final shot on goal came towards the end of the frame, when Alexa Iacolucci was fouled just outside of the box. The freshman drove a left-footed attempt towards goal, but Brock was again positioned properly to hold onto it for her third save of the game. The ‘Jackets got back to work defensively in the second overtime period, and held tough through the final whistle to complete the clean sheet. “Getting a shutout today was huge, and as a team we were very organized from the forwards through the back line,” said Kastelic. “A lot of credit goes to Lili for communicating to us throughout the entire game, and I am super proud of Amanda, Court, and Kalin.”
Just as the Yellowjackets earned a dangerous free kick at the end of the first OT, the ‘Cavs did the same on virtually the last offensive play of the match. Shannon McMahon lined up a shot on target as the clock wound down towards one minute to pay, but Delgadillo grabbed the shot on a single hop for her final save of the day. “In my head, I’m just thinking about watching where the ball is going,” Delgadillo responded when asked about facing a close-range free kick. “Once I set up my wall, I know they’re in the right place, and I just have to watch what the shooter does.” Gabrielle Ewing led all players with seven shots in the match for CU, and Martha Heaps had three attempts with one on target. Jessica Spang and Lubieniecki also played the full 110 minutes for MSUB. CLUB DAY SATURDAY: The theme of Saturday’s match was Club Day, as youth players from Billings’ local Magic City and Edge Soccer Clubs participated in a pregame walkout with the players and a halftime scrimmage on the field. “We are thankful for the support from our local club teams, and we really felt like their presence gave us a boost today,” said Krakowiak. “It means a lot for the local soccer community to come to our games, and we are excited about soccer’s growth in Billings over the last few years.”
Yellowjacket freshmen Alexa Iacolucci and Amanda Hemmen pose with members of Billings’ Edge Soccer Club during the National Anthem before Saturday’s game.
SAAC GAME OF THE WEEK: Saturday’s contest was also tabbed as the MSUB SAAC Game of the Week. A new initiative put forth by the athletic department’s student-leadership group, the Game of the Week focuses on MSUB students supporting athletes at various games throughout the season. Members of all 11 GNAC schools were in attendance as well, as part of the conference’s SAAC retreat being held over the weekend at MSUB’s campus. THE BUZZ: The shutout was the fourth of the year for Concordia…Delgadillo’s sister, Ana Delgadillo, started and played all 110 minutes at center back for the Cavaliers…Alycia Wright played a season-high 91 minutes for MSUB and had one shot…Claire Tevaseu also played 91 minutes in the midfield, the most for her this season.
COMING UP: The Yellowjackets hit the road next week, to challenge Northwest Nazarene University and Central Washington University in two more GNAC games. Thursday’s match against the Crusaders will kick off at 4 p.m. in Nampa, Idaho, while Saturday’s match against the Wildcats is set for a 1 p.m. Mountain time kickoff in Ellensburg, Wash. Live coverage for both games will be available through MSUB’s Stretch Internet portal here.
MSUB student-athletes Ivan Colmenero (cross country), Tom Lohmann, and Ignacio Crespo (men’s soccer) show their signs as they support the Yellowjacket women’s soccer team during Saturday’s match.
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