Lady Jackets Suffer First Home Loss (10/15/06)
Box Score
Game Photos
Coach Trentham post game audio

BILLINGS, MT – A lone first half goal was the difference Sunday as Incarnate Word handed the Montana State-Billings women’s soccer team its first home loss of the 2006 season.  The Cardinals’ Barbara Butts scored 26 minutes into the contest, and UIW’s defense held for the 1-0 victory.  The loss, their first at home this season, dropped the Yellowjackets to 11-4-1.  Incarnate Word improved to 7-8-1.

The Yellowjackets appeared to control the tempo for the first 15 minutes of the game.  The Cardinals turned the tide midway through the opening half when Lianah Flores broke behind the Yellowjacket defense and made a nice pass ahead to Butts, who chipped a shot from about 20 yards over the head of Yellowjacket goalkeeper Megan Plank (Phoenix, AZ).  The goal was the fourth of the season for Butts, who was the Heartland Conference MVP last season.

Scoring opportunities were scarce for both teams all day on the muddy, slippery field.  The Cardinals out-shot the Jackets 8-6 for the game, including 5-2 on shots on goal.  Plank made four saves while her counterpart Amy Menegaz made two. 

After starting the season 10-0-0, the Yellowjackets have gone 1-4-1 since the midpoint of the season.  Ranked as high as No. 1 in the NCAA Midwest Region three weeks ago, the Yellowjackets entered this week ranked fourth in the region.  The top four teams at the end of the season receive invitations to the NCAA Tournament. 

MSUB has four regular season games remaining, including three on the road next weekend.  The Jackets play at Texas-Permian Basin on October 20, at St. Edward’s on October 22, and at Dallas Baptist on October 23.  MSUB wraps up the regular season at home on October 28 against St. Edward’s.