September 5, 2007
 

Marauders Hand Lady Jackets Road Loss
Box score
MSUB season statistics

BISMARCK, N.D. – University of Mary scored in the first 20 minutes and again with 22 minutes remaining to defeat Montana State Billings 2-1 in women’s soccer Wednesday.  The loss dropped the Yellowjackets to 3-2-0 overall while Mary improved to 2-1-0.

The Marauders jumped on the board first when Shanda Lester scored on a direct kick from just outside the box at 17:54.  Mary held the 1-0 lead until just after halftime when the Jackets’ Abby Bennett (Livingston) picked up a loose ball in the box and deposited it into the left corner to tie the game at 1-1.  Bennett’s goal, her first of the season, came at 49:20.

Jordan Fenwick (Boise, ID) started in goal for MSU Billings and was replaced at 63:28 by Brittany Knudtzon (Kent, Wash.).  Mary wasted little time challenging Knudtzon, who entered the contest with a 3-0 record in goal.  Megan Wilson took a feed from Danielle Mellow and beat Knudtzon with the game winner at 68:20.

“We haven’t gotten to the point where we’ve put two good halves together yet,” said Yellowjacket head coach Don Trentham.  “I thought we played well at times in the first half and well at times in the second half, but we haven’t had a solid 90 minutes yet.”

Each team attempted 15 shots in the game with Mary firing eight shots on goal and the Jackets six.  Brittney Sandau (Billings) led all players with five shots, but just one was on goal.  Fenwick finished with two saves and Knudtzon made four.  Coyle Brannigan and Carly Feiler split time in goal for the Marauders and combined for five saves.

“Mary played better than we did, and we didn’t do the things we needed to do to win,” Trentham said.  “When you’re on the road it’s important to get the first goal.  Mary scored first and put the pressure on us right away.  It’s tough to win when you give up an early goal.”

The Yellowjackets return home to open Great Northwest Athletic Conference play next week when they host Western Oregon on Thursday (4:00 p.m.) and Saint Martin’s (11:00 a.m.) on Sunday.