(Editor's note: University of Montana media release)
MORAGA, Calif. -- The Montana soccer team dropped its second 1-0 decision of the weekend on Sunday when the Grizzlies fell to Saint Mary’s at Saint Mary’s Stadium in Moraga.
Montana (1-5-3) opened its road trip to California with a loss at San Francisco on Friday night.
The Grizzlies have lost four of their last six matches by a 1-0 score and will take just three goals scored in nine matches played this season into the start of their Big Sky Conference schedule next weekend.
Montana will play at Idaho on Friday and Eastern Washington on Sunday.
“It’s becoming the same story for us each game. We play well against a very good team. We keep ourselves in it, but we fail to score,” said coach Chris Citowicki.
“We’re creating better chances than we were last year, but we still aren’t taking our moments when they come our way.”
As happened on Friday night, when a corner kick that led to a header goal was the small margin of difference between the Grizzlies and the Dons, it was a set piece that did in Montana against the Gaels.
After the teams played a scoreless first half, with each team taking five shots, Saint Mary’s (5-4-0) opened the scoring early in the second half.
A corner in the 54th minute bounced around in front of the Montana goal before Anna Parker kicked it in for what would be the game-winner.
Gaels goalkeeper Maleah Milner made a pair of saves after being handed a 1-0 lead to record her second shutout of the weekend, her third of the season.
Saint Mary’s won 1-0 at home against Portland State on Friday afternoon.
Alexa Coyle, who took a team-high three shots, Taylor Hansen and Rita Lang all put shots on goal. Claire Howard made six saves.
Because of a no-result against UC Santa Barbara, Montana ended up playing seven of its nine nonconference games on the road.
That will continue next weekend when the Grizzlies open league away from home.
Idaho (3-7-0) is coming off a 2-1 home win over North Dakota on Sunday. Eastern Washington (3-5-1) is one of four Big Sky teams that will take three or more wins into league.
“Four of our first five weekends involved us going on the road, and that has really tested us,” added Citowicki. “We’re looking forward to starting conference play next week, then finally getting back home.”
