August 26, 2007

Fort Lewis Hands MSUB First Loss of Season
Box Score
MSUB Season Stats

DURANGO, Colo. – Low-scoring overtime battles have become the norm when Montana State Billings and Fort Lewis meet in women’s soccer.  On Sunday, the Skyhawks scored four minutes into the first overtime to give the Yellowjackets their first loss of the season, 1-0.  Sara Egbom scored the game winner for Fort Lewis, hitting from 30 yards out at 94:14.

Jordan Fenwick

The last three meetings between the two teams have gone into overtime, and neither team has scored more than one goal in any of the three games.  In 2005, the Skyhawks and Jackets played to a 1-1 draw, and in 2006 the Yellowjackets used OT to win 1-0.  Despite the close games in the last three years, Fort Lewis now holds a 5-1-1 all-time record against MSU Billings.

“I thought we played well defensively,” said Yellowjacket head coach Don Trentham.  “Jordan Fenwick played well in goal.  We just couldn’t create any offense today.  Fort Lewis is a good team, and they’re well organized.  They will be there at the end of the year in terms of contending for a playoff spot.  They made it difficult for us and did a good job of shutting down our players.”

MSU Billings was playing its third road game in the span of four days.  Fort Lewis (2-0) took advantage, out-shooting the Yellowjackets 14-5, including an 8-1 shots on goal advantage.  Fenwick (Boise, Idaho) made six saves in her first collegiate start.  The loss dropped MSU Billings to 2-1 following the opening weekend.

“Any time you start the season on the road and go 2-1, I think that’s positive,” Trentham said.  “Overall it was a successful road trip.  We played some good opponents, a really good opponent today.  This is a game we’ll learn from.  We’ll play these types of teams in our conference, so it was good to get that experience.”

The Yellowjackets have the next week off before hosting Regis University on Labor Day.  Kick off is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the MSU Billings College of Technology.  The Rangers are picked third in the RMAC behind defending national champion Metro State and Fort Lewis.