(Editor's note: MSUB Athletics release)
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Kiley Sandow scored for Montana State University Billings, but Western Oregon University capitalized on second half chances to halt the Yellowjackets 3-1 at WOU Soccer Field in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference contest Thursday afternoon.
Selene Konyn opened with an unassisted goal 20 minutes in, but Sandow collected a rebound seven minutes later and deflected it off a defender an in to tie the game 1-1. The tie lasted 15 minutes into the second half. Then WOU’s Nikki Hoey found space in the middle of the box and smacked a kick off the middle of the crossbar for the winning tally after corner kick cross. Kaili Brundage seized an opportunity to add insurance in the 75th minute off Alyssa Tomasini’s second assist of the afternoon. The Wolves held MSUB to zero shots the rest of the contest to pick up their third GNAC victory.
MSU Billings (4-5-2, 3-3-0 GNAC) fell one point behind Western Oregon (6-4-2, 3-2-1 GNAC) in the standings. The Wolves moved up two positions to third, behind Western Washington (12-2-0, 6-0-0) and Seattle Pacific (6-5-0, 4-1-0). The ‘Jackets are 1-4-0 away from the Magic City, still in search of their first conference win on the road.
“It was a tough result for us,” said head coach Stephen Cavallo after the game. “We settled into the game and really had a positive first half. We responded well to conceding the first goal and got ourselves right back into the game. Credit to Lexie Bloyder for working hard on the wing to create that chance for Kiley (Sandow). In the second half, we weren’t able to generate chances needed to win. We knew set pieces would be a danger and unfortunately that is how we allowed the second goal. We tried to push to find an equalizer and got caught on the break.”
Western Oregon outshot the Yellowjackets 12-8 with five shots on goal compared to five. Erinn Harder made two saves and allowed three goals to take the loss at goalkeeper. Alex Qualls picked up the win with two saves and one goal against. Courteney Shovlin, Alexa Iacolucci, and Kiley Sandow recorded shots on goal for the ‘Jackets.
“I can’t fault our effort today,” Cavallo said. “The team really battled hard. This is an extremely challenging place to come and get a result. We need to pick ourselves up and get ready for another battle on Saturday.”
THE BUZZ: Kiley Sandow scored her second goal of the fall to earn St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game. The freshman has played 11 games so far with two starts.
UP NEXT: MSU Billings is back in action Saturday when they take on Concordia University (2-7-1, 0-3-1) at Hilken Community Field in Portland, Oregon at 1 p.m. local time.
