FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Thursday, October 13, 2016 Late goal sinks ‘Jackets in 1-0 loss to Seattle Pacific Thursday
MSUB’s women’s soccer team falls to Seattle Pacific 1-0 on Thursday, on a goal by Haley Ayers in the 78th minute at Yellowjacket Field. BILLINGS, Mont. – Haley Ayers drove home a loose ball in the box after a corner kick in the 78th minute, scoring the game-winning goal as visiting Seattle Pacific University handed the Montana State University Billings women’s soccer team a 1-0 loss in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at Yellowjacket Field on Thursday. Ayers’ game-winning finish came during a period of heavy offensive attack by the visiting team, as the Falcons pushed forward late in the game. The senior was inside the box on the far side, and was there to punch home her first goal of the season. The win propelled the Falcons’ record to 7-2-3 overall, and 4-1-2 in conference play. With the loss, the Yellowjackets slipped to 3-7-2 overall and 3-3-1 in conference play. “We had some really good chances but didn’t put them away,” said MSUB head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. “It was a very even game, and we definitely had some good moments, but we have to be way more aggressive on the field and more demanding up front.”
The ‘Jackets dodged a bullet in the opening five minutes of play, as a cross from the left side made its wall all the way through the six-yard box untouched before rolling out for a goal kick. Hayley Warren had a decent look towards goal with 15 minutes before the break, but her shot from the top of the goal box carried over the crossbar. The Falcons earned a scoring chance just before halftime, winning a free kick outside of the box on the left side of the field. Brooke Pingrey lined up a shot, but it was knocked away by the defensive wall and the teams headed to the break scoreless. A shot from point-blank range by Jessica Spang early in the second half was MSUB’s best scoring chance of the day, but SPU keeper Molly Stinson held onto the ball before it reached the goal. Fresh into the game with 25 minutes to play, Hannah Huesers had a chance to put SPU in front but missed high with a shot on a one-on-one breakaway against MSUB goalkeeper Lili Delgadillo. Freshman Amanda Hemmen put together another 90-minute effort on Thursday, defending well throughout MSUB’s tough 1-0 loss to Seattle Pacific.
The Falcons capitalized 10 minutes later however, as Ayers provided all the offense her team needed to earn the win.
Freshmen Amanda Hemmen and Claire Tevaseu stood out in the center of the field for the ‘Jackets, helping keep the team’s shape at center back and holding mid, respectively. Hemmen was on the winning end of multiple tackles deep in the defensive third, and was a big reason the Falcons only landed two shots on target. Tevaseu consistently created momentum out of the back, controlling the ball effectively and distributing well to both sides of the field. She had one of MSUB’s two shots on target in the game, but her long-range effort was easily handled by Stinson. “Claire was really solid for us today, and controlled the middle,” Krakowiak said. “Amanda made some crucial tackles for us as well.” Kalin Sandow and Kari Kastelic also played the full 90 minutes defensively for MSUB, while Dana Lubieniecki played the entire match as attacking midfielder. In goal, Delgadillo finished with one save, while SPU’s Stinson made two stops. “Dana did a lot of running today, and had some really good attacking moments,” said Krakowiak. “Lili was good for us overall in the back.” Spang and Warren tied for the team high with three shots for the ‘Jackets, while four different Falcons – all off of the bench – had two shots apiece. SPU out-shot MSUB 12-10 overall in the game, and won five corner kicks while allowing just one. “We just need to regroup, train tomorrow, and get ready for the game on Saturday,” Krakowiak finished. THE BUZZ: Tevaseu was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…it was the second-straight 1-0 win for SPU over MSUB, as the Falcons won by the same score on Oct. 15, 2015 at Yellowjacket Field.
COMING UP: The Yellowjackets host Central Washington University on Saturday on MSUB Kicks Cancer Day in another doubleheader with the MSUB men’s soccer team. Kickoff at Yellowjacket Field is set for 1 p.m., with live video and live statistics available through MSUB’s Stretch Internet portal here. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--