FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Saturday, October 22, 2016 ‘Jackets settle for 3-3, double-overtime draw at SPU Saturday
MSUB takes a 3-1 lead late in the match, but SPU rallies to tie the score just before the end of regulation in a 3-3, doubleovertime draw in Seattle on Saturday. SEATTLE – Goals from Kylee Wolfe, Jordan Devoto, and Alycia Wright gave the Montana State University Billings women’s soccer team a 3-1 lead in the second half on Saturday, but host Seattle Pacific University rallied to tie the score late in a 3-3, double-overtime draw in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at Interbay Stadium. The Yellowjackets responded to a 1-0 deficit by scoring three straight goals, but SPU’s two finishes came exactly one minute apart between minutes 78 and 79 as the Falcons forced extra time. The draw moved MSUB’s record to 3-9-3 overall and 3-5-2 in GNAC play. “We talked about scoring first and that didn’t happen, but I’m proud of how the team responded,” said MSUB head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. “Going into halftime 1-1 was a big deal, and it was important to score that goal before the break.” The Falcons are now 8-3-4 overall and 5-2-3 in conference games. Hannah Huesers scored the first two goals of the game for the Falcons, and Brooke Lancaster scored the tying goal.
Huesers’ first finish came in the 27th minute, as she lofted a shot over a charging Lili Delgadillo for her team-leading eighth goal of the year. It took less than eight minutes for the ‘Jackets to find an equalizer, as Wolfe created her own chance on a stolen ball out of the Falcons’ defensive third. The junior finished from 10 yards away, and helped her team go into halftime even. The tandem of Alexa Iacolucci and Claire Tevaseu played well alongside one another in the midfield, helping the Yellowjackets keep possession and build their attack forward. MSUB took the lead nine minutes into the second half, on a play that started with Bailey Griglio on the wing. Devoto received a pass from her fellow sophomore, and lofted a shot over SPU goalkeeper Molly Stinson’s head at the near post. Hayley Warren, who was instrumental throughout the match in the offensive third, orchestrated her team’s third goal of the game. Whipping in a hard cross from the side, Warren watched as Wright was there to tap the ball in from three yards away and put the team up 3-1.
Hayley Warren turned in an assist in MSUB’s 3-3, double-overtime draw at Seattle Pacific on Saturday.
“All of the goals we scored were amazing,” Krakowiak said. “Jordan showed very good soccer I.Q., by not panicking on her finish. We saw a great read by Alycia getting into the box, and Hayley played a nice cross in. Hayley stepped up big time for us today. She won a lot of tackles, distributed, and held the ball up front for us. I was extremely happy with her performance.”
MSUB appeared to have a steady lead in hand, but the Falcons rallied with a pair of quick goals. Huesers carried the ball on a long run into the box before finishing from 15 yards out, and Lancaster evened the score with a nine-yard, looping shot off of a cross from Maddie Sjothun. The ‘Jackets had the only two shots of the overtime period, but could not find a golden goal. Kari Kastelic, Amanda Hemmen, and Kalin Sandow each played the full 110 minutes on the defensive side for MSUB, while Dana Lubieniecki turned in a complete-game effort in the midfield and led the team with three shots. MSUB was out-shot just 22-18 in the match, and won seven corner kicks while giving up eight. Lancaster and Maddie Krauss led the Falcons with five shots apiece, and Huesers put three of her four attempts on target. “The whole team deserves a lot of credit,” Krakowiak said. “Going into overtime and playing away, we were able to get a point. Everybody did an amazing job today, we are happy with the point, and I am proud of the team. We told them before the game that it would come down to character and being tough, and they definitely showed that today.” THE BUZZ: Warren was tabbed as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…this was MSUB’s fifth overtime game of the year…the ‘Jackets are 1-1-3 in overtime matches this year.
COMING UP: MSUB returns home for its final two matches of the season. The Yellowjackets host Simon Fraser University next Thursday at 2 p.m., before Saturday’s Senior Day match against No. 1 Western Washington University at 1 p.m. Both matches will feature live video and live statistics available through MSUB’s Stretch Internet portal here.
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