BILLINGS, Mont. – The Central Washington University Women's Soccer Team (3-6-4, 1-6-3 GNAC) comeback attempt fell short in a 2-1 setback at Montana State Billings (3-11, 2-8 GNAC) Saturday at the Yellowjacket Soccer Field. 
 
FIRST HALF
 
MSUB had early offense, getting two shots on goal just 15 minutes into the game, but Leighton Menge made the stellar saves to keep the game at zero apiece. Annelise Bauman received a yellow card at the 21:31 mark and the 'Jackets capitalized with a Kambryn Smith breaking the game open with a goal at the 26:10 mark, assisted by Cianna Sexton. Menge held tall with another pair of saves, but the Yellowjackets kept the attack and broke through again, this time by Nyah Attaway at the 34:54 mark to make it 2-0 MSUB. A shot off target by Sydney Madison proved to be the final action of the first half as the Yellowjackets led 2-0 at the halftime break. 
 
SECOND HALF
 
The Wildcats couldn't make the most of a corner kick early in the second half but were able to get into an offensive rhythm with Casey Park shooting a shot and Ava Shiflett with a pair of shots herself with one on goal. Kelsey Fulton and Cam Sheets each logged a shot to keep the offensive momentum going. A pair of yellow cards were issued, first on the 'Cats Lainee Derry at the 64:48 mark and then 10 seconds later on the 'Jackets Smith. Fulton geared off one more shot before the Jackets responded with a shot of their own but Menge made a huge save. Another pair of shots by the 'Cats, one each by Sadie Schaefer and Olivia Fast helped Sheets break through to put the 'Cats on the board at the 78:43 mark to make it 2-1 in favor of MSUB. Immediately the 'Cats rattled off two more shots with Jaylee Reynolds forcing Natalie Weinmaster of MSUB to make a stellar save. The 'Jackets nabbed one more shot off target and Weinmaster saved the victory for the 'Jackets with a huge save from a shot by Fulton to end the game with the Yellowjackets on top 2-1. 
 
The 'Cats rattled off 13 shots with five on goal while the Yellowjackets had nine shots with seven on goal. Menge made five saves for the 'Cats while Weinmaster made four saves. 
 
QUOTING CWU HEAD WOMEN'S SOCCER COACH JOHN HAWKS
 
"Today felt like a team and mentality of two halves… we didn't lose, we just ran out of time! 
 
Unfortunately, we didn't choose to execute our game plan and play to win until we went down 2-0. 
 
I'm proud of our response and ability to outshoot them 12-2 in the second half. To win we must do that for a full 90, not just 45! 
 
We have to shoot to score and finish as well as play to win. As the coach it's on me to help this group become more clinical with finishing their chances in the run of play!
 
We'll regroup come Monday and continue to put the reps in as we go from good to great… Go Cats!"
 
UP NEXT
 
The 'Cats will be back home for another pair of games, first hosting the Saint Martin's Saints (2-11-1, 1-8-1 GNAC) on Thursday, October 30 at 1:00 p.m. The crimson and black will then turn their attention to the Western Oregon Wolves (9-3-2, 6-2-1 GNAC) on Saturday, November 1 at 11:00 a.m. with all the action coming to you from Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium.