BILLINGS, Mont. – The Central Washington University women's soccer team (6-7-1, 4-4-1) fell to Montana State University Billings (5-8-2, 4-6-0).
Teanna Lathum scored the Wildcats' lone goal in the 13
th minute. She fired a shot on a gaping net and put the Wildcats ahead 1-0.
The Yellowjackets, however, forced
Emily Thomson into action in just the third minute. A shot from Julia Keller was stymied by the Edmonton native to keep the 0-0 deadlock.
In the 14
th minute,
Molly Edvalds had her first chance at goal. Erinn Harder made the stop on behalf of the Yellowjackets.
A pair of shots from Montana State Billings in the 20
th and 25
th minutes, the first was blocked before Haylee Gunter sent a shot wide. A headed effort in the 29
th minute from Amanda Hemmen was turned away by Thomson, leading to a CWU counterattack. The ensuing opportunity for the Wildcats ended when Harder made a stop on a headed effort from
Sophia Keenan.
Montana State Billings was back on the offensive again in the 34
th minute. Alexa Iacolucci ripped a shot on frame, but Thomson kept the shot out. An effort towards goal from Kiley Sandow in the 36
th minute was blocked, leading to a foul against Central. Following the foul, with possession once more, Iacolucci sent another shot on goal and was met by Thomson once more.
After defending a corner in the 41
st minute, the Wildcats were asked to defend another in the 44
th minute of play. Iacolucci's shot off the corner was blocked, nearly ending the danger. The 'Jackets regrouped and found another chance in the waning seconds. An aerial ball from Emily Gaines found Iacolucci, who buried her chance to the right side of the net to level the score line at 1-1.
The second half featured scant offense for both sides with just one shot coming in the first 20 minutes of the second stanza.
Central Washington received three corner kicks in the second half through the 61
st minute, but were unable to generate a shot. The Wildcats lone shot of the second half came in the 87
th minute when Lathum took a chance at goal, but Harder was there to make the stop.
Billings nabbed the go-ahead marker in the 72
nd minute. A shot from Courteney Shovlin was parried by Thomson, leading to an MSUB corner. Iacolucci's corner was misplayed by the Wildcat defenders, allowing Gunter to bury a caromed ball into the back of the net and take a 2-1 lead.
"For us it was an average day," CWU Head Coach
Michael Farrand said. "We didn't bring a whole lot. We closed on them like we said we would, so that part worked. Unfortunately, for us, we weren't ready today. We got outworked by a team who wanted it more. We gifted them the first goal and then don't properly deal with the corner and give up two soft goals. It was a time where we needed more from everyone and we didn't get it."
Montana State Billings outshot Central Washington 13-5, including an 8-4 difference in shots on goal. The Wildcats recorded four corners, all in the second half.
The Wildcats are back in action on Saturday (Nov. 2) as they host Concordia (Ore.) for Senior Day. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the CWU Soccer Complex.
