BILLINGS, Mont. – Haley McFarlane and Alisa Sagdahl each scored their first goal of the season as Montana State University Billings defeated the University of Mary 2-1 in a nonconference match Saturday afternoon at MDU Resources Community Bowl.
 
McFarlane's goal got MSUB on the board in the 56th minute, and Sagdahl's broke a 1-1 tie in the 81st. Sagdahl assisted on McFarlane's goal, while senior defender Jennifer Johnson earned the assist on Sagdahl's strike.
 
"I am very happy with the way we started the match," commented head coach Wojtek Krakowiak. "We brought a lot of intensity from the get-go. Mary is a strong opponent and is very athletic and well-coached. I'm proud of our girls for putting their heads down and getting the result."
 
On the game, MSUB (1-0) outshot the Marauders (0-1) 14-5 and placed seven shots on target.
 
MSUB earned a corner kick within the first two minutes of the game, but could not capitalize on the early opportunity.
 
Sagdahl took the first shot of the game in the 13th minute, but Marauder goalkeeper Kelsey Ekstedt made a save to prevent an early goal.
 
Dana Lubieniecki nearly gave the 'Jackets a 1-0 advantage a minute later, but her shot glanced off the post harmlessly.
 
Chelsea Shuman had a pair of shots in the middle part of the first half, but one missed wide left and Ekstedt knocked down the other to keep the game scoreless.
 
Ashely Marra followed Shuman's lead, missing wide with a shot in the 37th minute and then placing one on frame in the 38th to create more work for Ekstedt.
 
Yellowjacket goalkeeper Krystal Daniels received a quick test to start the second half, saving a shot by Andrea Muller in the 48th minute. Kari Kastelic and Lubieniecki each missed high with shots within the next seven minutes, before McFarlane finally pushed the 'Jackets in front.
 
Sagdahl curled in a cross on a corner kick, and found McFarlane's head, and the shot beat the Marauders' keeper.
 
Mary responded in the 65th minute however, as Muller tucked away a shot to even the score at 1-1.
 
As time wound down, Sagdahl found herself with a golden scoring opportunity with less than 10 minutes left. Johnson fed Sagdahl the ball, and the Yellowjackets' second goal pushed the team ahead 2-1.
 
Amanda Perri placed one more shot on frame for MSUB in the 85th minute, but Ekstedt made another save to keep the score at 2-1. A last-ditch effort by Muller sailed high in the 85th minute, and MSUB collected a win in its first game of the season.
 
Ekstedt finished with five saves for Mary, while Daniels earned the win with one save on the game.
 
"We did a good job creating chances and put them away with two goals," Krakowiak said. "Our defense played with a lot of heart and focus today. Both of our goals today were of the highest quality and it's a positive start to the season."
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets head to Sioux Falls, S.D., next weekend to challenge the University of Sioux Falls on Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at the USF Sports Complex.