August 25, 2007

Lady Jackets Race Past Zias
Box Score
MSUB Season Stats

DURANGO, Colo. – Montana State Billings scored three goals in the second half on Saturday to blow out Eastern New Mexico 5-0.  The Yellowjackets improved 2-0 with the win and have scored eight goals in their first two games of the season.

“There are two good stats that stick out in this game,” said Yellowjacket head coach Don Trentham.  “One is we didn’t give up a shot on goal.  The second is we had five different people score.  I think our defense is doing a good job of keeping teams away from our goal, and when we win it, we have a lot of good players that can go forward and make things happen.”

Mandy Ploskonka

Just as they did in Thursday’s 3-1 win at Adams State, the Yellowjackets found the net quickly against the Zias (0-2).  Danielle Ritter (Great Falls) scored off a pass from Melissa Carlson (Renton, Wash.) at 16:38.  Ritter’s goal turned out to be the game winner as the Jackets out-shot the Zias 17-3.  MSUB keepers Brittany Knudtzon (Kent, Wash.) and Jordan Fenwick (Boise, Idaho) combined for the shutout without having to make a save.

Sisters Samantha and Brittney Sandau (Billings) sandwiched goals around halftime to stake MSU Billings to a 3-0 lead with nearly 33 minutes remaining in the game.  Samantha scored her first collegiate goal at 42:48 when she scored off a pass from fellow freshman Kari Foreman (Lakewood, Colo.).  Brittney netted her 22nd career goal almost 12 minutes into the second half.  She was assisted by Mandy Ploskonka (Federal Way, Wash.).

“We created a lot of good chances and spread it around a lot of good players today,” Trentham said.  “We have a well balanced attack.  There isn’t one player you can pinpoint to mark out of the game because there are four or five others capable of scoring as well.  Janica Larsen (Salt Lake City) and Abby Bennett (Livingston) had a tremendous game at the center back position.  It’s a new partnership, but it’s gotten better each day.  Today you couldn’t break them down.  They did a fantastic job.”

Less than two minutes after assisting on Sandau’s goal, Ploskonka scored her second goal of the season at 58:34.  Senior Amy Stephens (Colorado Springs) picked up the assist.  Sophomore Jelisa Guy (Kalispell) scored her first goal of the year at 69:47 to close out the scoring.

The Yellowjackets wrap up their season-opening road trip on Sunday against Fort Lewis College.  The Jackets and Skyhawks (1-0) kick off at noon in Durango.  Fort Lewis defeated Eastern New Mexico 5-2 on Thursday.