Box Score
Box Score

Billings, Mont. – Montana State Billings women's soccer team did not end the regular season in a way they expected, only capturing one victory out of their last five matches. Given a clean slate in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference inaugural championship tournament, the Yellowjackets put forth an effort similar to their early season outings as they defeated No. 22 nationally ranked Seattle Pacific University 1-0.
 
The Falcons came into Thursday's contest full of momentum. They recently defeated Western Washington University on Oct. 27, the regular season GNAC champion (then ranked No. 14 nationally), 1-0 on their home turf.
 
In the Oct. 30 NSCAA/Continental Tire national poll, Seattle Pacific earned the No. 22 slot. While in the west region poll the Falcons notched the No. 3 ranking and the Jackets earned the No. 9 slot. In the Oct. 31 NCAA west region rankings, Seattle Pacific earned the No. 2 ranking while MSUB earned a No. 7 ranking.
 
MSUB entered the first round of the GNAC Championship tournament as the No. 3 seed and the Falcons No. 2 seed. The Yellowjackets were determined to upend their rivals nine game winning streak and tighten their resume for the NCAA selection committee.
 
From the opening kick to the 35^th minute the Jackets outshot Seattle Pacific 5-2. Heidi Greenback and Chelsea Shuman landed shots on target during this period but the Falcons' Natalie Harold denied both attempts coming up with saves on each play.
 
Seattle Pacific countered with three shots, one on target, from 38:31 to 42:25. Alexa Diaz's 40:11 shot on goal attempt was met by freshman goalkeeper Aiko Johnson who registered another save on the evening.
 
The Yellowjackets closed the half with three shot attempts but could not produce a score and entered intermission tied 0-0 with the Falcons. MSUB out shot their counterpart 9-5 in the first half.
 
Seattle Pacific came out strong in the second half, taking six consecutive shots from the 45^th minute to the 61^st minute. While half of their attempts were on target, neither would produce any scores as Johnson stopped each attempt.
Despite being on the defense for the majority of the half, when the Jackets got their opportunity to attack they were extremely efficient. At 65:33 Jaucelyn Richter took a shot that hit the post and Jessie Mancilla knocked in the shot off the rebound for her first collegiate score putting MSUB ahead 1-0.
 
Now down on the scoreboard, Seattle Pacific increased their tempo to try to equalize the score. Their efforts would be met by a stout backline as Adrienne Biglow, Courtney Harvey, Jennifer Larsen and Whitney Siler had a great outing on the pitch and forced 11 of 16 shots off target.
 
After Mancilla's score, the Falcons took five more shot attempts but could not find success and the Yellowjackets went ahead to win the match 1-0 and advance to the GNAC Championship final.

"We are thrilled with the result against a very good Seattle Pacific team, but more impressive was the effort and work our girls put out on the field,” stated head coach Wojtek Krakowiak.  “Any time you beat a nationally-ranked team, you're doing a lot of things right. Our seniors really motivated our group of girls before the game and we came out with an unparalleled focus and determination. Our energy was contagious and everyone left it all on the field. We were determined to prolong our season and give our seniors another game."
 
Johnson received her 10^th shutout of the year and finished with five saves on the evening. Her 13 wins and 10 shutouts in 2012 tie Megan Plank for the most wins and shutouts in a season by a goalkeeper. The team's 13^th victory ties the 2010 team's total for the most wins in a season.
 
The Yellowjackets are now 13-5-1 overall and will advance to the GNAC Championship to face the No. 1 seed Western Washington at 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) Saturday, Nov. 3. Fans can visit www.gnacsports.com and follow the appropriate links to view the match live. The contest will also be equipped with live stats.