MSUB Women's Soccer Recap 10/8/15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Thursday, October 8, 2015 Crusaders find 2 second-half goals to down MSUB women 2-1 in Idaho

NNU scores twice in the second half – including the game-winner in the 90th minute – as the MSUB women fall 2-1 on the road.

NAMPA, Idaho – Makena Dandley scored in the 90th minute as Northwest Nazarene University shocked the Montana State University Billings women’s soccer team with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory Thursday afternoon at the NNU Soccer Field in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference match.

The Yellowjackets (5-3-2, 3-2-1 GNAC) took a 1-0 lead into halftime after the fourth goal of the season by freshman Alycia Wright in the 27th minute.

The Crusaders (5-5-1, 2-3-1 GNAC) rallied however, evening the score on a goal by Sarah Jenkins in the 63rd minute before Dandley’s last-minute game-winner.

“We are disappointed with the result tonight,” commented MSUB head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. “We had some really good moments and created a lot of chances, and we needed to put them away. We will get ready for Saturday.”

The Yellowjackets held a 23-13 advantage in shots on the match, and MSUB placed nine of its attempts on target compared with eight for NNU. Yellowjacket sophomore and GNAC scoring leader Jessica Spang led all players with seven shots in the match, and she placed two on target. Wright had four shots for the ‘Jackets, and Dana Lubieniecki and Brittney Greenback had three apiece.

Despite keeping constant pressure on NNU’s back line, the Yellowjackets could not break through a second time as Crusader goalkeeper Daniele Ortiz totaled eight saves on the match. Yellowjacket keeper Chloe Hopps made six saves of her own.

MSUB held a slight 3-2 edge in corner kicks, but all three came in the first half for the Yellowjackets. The ‘Jackets had four shots and a pair of corner kicks in the opening 15 minutes, as they put NNU under pressure early. Wright took her first shot on target of the match in the 24th minute, forcing Ortiz to make a save.

The breakthrough came two minutes later, as Wright and senior Teegan Koster combined on a give-and-go down the left side before the former slotted home the goal. The assist was the first on the year for Koster, who tallied 59 minutes in her second straight start for the Yellowjackets.

Hopps was tested twice in the opening 45 minutes, making saves in the third and 26th minutes to help keep NNU’s offense at bay.

NNU opened the second period with a barrage of shots, hinting that it was on the verge of an equalizer. Hopps saved shots by Kelsey Martin and Kayla Williams in the first 10 minutes, keeping the lead in the hands of the ‘Jackets for the time being.

After being shut out by MSUB 2-0 on Sept. 19 at Yellowjacket Field, the Crusaders found the net for the first time this year against the ‘Jackets in the 63rd minute. Ashley Cook-Cox played a drop ball to Jenkins, who drilled a shot from 30 yards out and evened the score at 1-1.

Shots by Spang and Greenback were blocked in the 70th minute, and Ortiz came through in a huge way two minutes later. In a prime scoring opportunity, MSUB placed three shots on target in the span of two minutes late in the second half, but Ortiz knocked away all three tries to keep the game tied.

The effort paid off for NNU, as Dandley collected a rebound off of a blocked shot and put away the game winner in the final minute. The play originated on a corner kick by Lexi Fesenbek, as the Crusaders stunned the Yellowjackets with the late breakthrough.

Wright earned St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game honors for the Yellowjackets for scoring her fourth goal of the year. Kari Kastelic and Katlyn Lokay played the whole game for the ‘Jackets on the back line, keeping their season-long streak of playing every minute intact.

UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets remain on the road to challenge No. 3 Western Washington University on Saturday with a 2 p.m. Mountain time kickoff set at Harrington Field in Bellingham, Wash.

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