FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Saturday, October 29, 2016 MSUB ends season with 2-0 loss to No. 1 Western Washington on Senior Day
Top-ranked Western Washington completes a perfect regular season with a 2-0 win over MSUB, and the Yellowjackets’ three graduating seniors are honored in a pregame ceremony as the 2016 season ends Saturday. BILLINGS, Mont. – Western Washington University, the No. 1 team in the NCAA, completed a perfect regular season with a 2-0 win over Montana State University Billings in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women’s soccer match at Yellowjacket Field on MSUB’s Senior Day Saturday. The regular-season champion Vikings improved their record to 17-0-1, and swept through league play at 12-0 in GNAC games. MSUB ended the year with a record of 4-10-3 with the loss, and finished its conference schedule at 4-6-2. Seniors Dana Lubieniecki, Kari Kastelic, and Hayley Warren played their final career games on Saturday, and were honored in a pregame Senior Day ceremony. “It’s definitely a weird feeling going into a game knowing it’s going to be your last, but I was looking forward to doing it with these girls,” Lubieniecki, a four-year starter, said. “I was excited, nervous, and a little sad, but it was an awesome day.”
Putting forth one of their best efforts of the season, MSUB played WWU tough and the teams played into the halftime break scoreless. Jordyn Bartelson scored her third goal of the year in the 67th minute, and Emily Webster added her first in the 71st minute to give WWU enough firepower for the win. The Vikings had a chance to take the lead early, but MSUB goalkeeper Lili Delgadillo leapt up to tap a shot by Peyton Chick from the top of the box over the crossbar. At the 20-minute mark Delgadillo again foiled an attempt by Chick, whose low cross from the left side was smothered by MSUB’s keeper before a charging forward could reach it.
Seniors Hayley Warren (L to R), Dana Lubieniecki, and Kari Kastelic shared their final career game together on Saturday.
The ‘Jackets countered moments later, and nearly took the lead. With WWU keeper Ashley Homer charging off of her line, a high shot by Warren glanced off of the framework at the crux of the far post and the crossbar. “I started celebrating as soon as it left my foot, and when it bounced out I was a little disappointed,” Warren commented on her near miss. “After that the
team had a momentum pickup and we all raised the intensity.” The Vikings out-shot MSUB 11-2 in the opening period, and won three corner kicks while allowing none. Opening the second half with another top-shelf save, Delgadillo again reached up with one hand to knock and powerful shot by Anna DeWeirdt over the bar. Amanda Hemmen saved the day midway through the second half, beating WWU’s Gabriela Pelogi to a through ball in the nick of time and clearing it out of play. WWU’s striker nearly pushed her team ahead moments later, as she turned and missed just wide with a left-footed shot from point-blank range. The Vikings’ first goal of the game developed on a corner kick, as Elise Aylward played the ball into the box, and Webster touched it on to Bartelson. The freshman was unmarked towards the far post, and tucked a shot into the back of the net. Less than four minutes later, WWU struck again on another set piece. Lining up a free kick from 25 yards away on the right side of the field, Webster curled a left-footed shot over MSUB’s wall and inside of the right goal post to make the score 2-0. The ‘Jackets managed to double their shot total from the first half with four in the second, but Warren’s attempt from outside the box as time ran out was the lone shot on frame in the match.
Kastelic completed a remarkable streak of playing every single minute of her career at MSUB, with her final 90 minutes on Saturday. In three seasons at center back with the ‘Jackets, Kastelic played 4,806 minutes, which is 13th-most in MSUB history. “I’m so thankful that I had this opportunity, and not every player gets the chance to play every single minute,” Kastelic said. “I just want this team to keep working hard, and every up and down is a character test that you can learn and grow from. I think I have become a better person by going through this career.” Freshman center back Hemmen also played the full 90 minutes, and finished her own season-long streak of playing every single minute next to Kastelic. Freshman outside back Kalin Sandow also played the full match, as did Warren. Delgadillo made four saves in the match, and sophomore Kaylee Praska made her collegiate debut in goal and recorded a pair of saves in the final 17 minutes. Alexa Iacolucci and Claire Tevaseu stood out in the midfield for MSUB, helping to create space and move the ball forward throughout the match. WWU’s Homer made one save in the match, and the Vikings placed eight of their 25 shots on target. “It was awesome having this group with me on Senior Day,” Lubieniecki said as she fought back tears. “Every single girl we have deserves to be here, and can make it all four years.” THE BUZZ: Lubieniecki was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…WWU has now won 17 matches ina-row since a 0-0 draw in its first game of the season…the Vikings have outscored opponents 45-5 this season and have never trailed in any match…WWU is the second team in GNAC history to go undefeated and untied in league play. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--