Jackets Return Home for Key Regional Contest Versus Mary

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings women’s soccer team returns home to begin a six game home state and eight of its next 10 in the friendly confines Saturday at 1 p.m. versus the University of Mary.   The Yellowjackets stand a 3-2 after splitting two games at Augustana College last weekend.  Mary enters the game at 0-5 on the year.

The Yellowjackets are led by Kari Foreman who has two goals to lead the team.  She was named co-Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week earlier in the season as well.  Foreman leads the team with seven shots on goal and 13th shots total.  Amy Remsberg, Chelsea Libby, Ali Gamberg and Melissa Carlson each have goals as well.  Mandy Ploskonka leads the team with two assists.

In goal, Jordan Fenwick leads the way with a 3-2 record and one shutout.  Fenwick carries a 2.18 goals against average and has 23 saves on the year.  Brittney Knudtzon has seen action as well, carding one save in 45 minutes of work.

The Marauders enter the game with a 0-5 record.  UM has allowed 12 goals thus far and has scored three. Leading the way for Mary is Amy Tanaka who has two scores on 12 shots.  She also leads the team with 11 shots on goal.  Jessica Janusz has the other goal for the Marauders on a penalty kick.  Janusz leads the team with one assist on the year.

Defensively, the Marauders have split time in goal between Carly Feiler and Brannigan Cole.  Cole has seen more action as she is 0-3 on the year with eight goals against and a 2.67 goals against average.  Feiler is 0-2 on the year with a 2.0 gaa. 

Mary leads the all-time series 9-6 and won a 2-1 decision last season in Bismark, Sept. 5, 2007.

Last week, the Yellowjackets spilt two games at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD.  The Jackets defeated Adams State, 2-1 on two first half goals by Chelsea Libby and Ali Gamberg.  MSUB out-shot Adams State, 27-4 and 11-4 in shots on goal.  Gamberg was named honorable mention GNAC Player of the Week for her goal against Adams State and her four shots against Augustana. 

The Vikings handed the Yellowjackets their second loss of the season 4-0 last Saturday.  For the second time this season, the Jackets have given up four first half goals and were unable to mount a second half comeback.  Despite the loss to the Vikings, MSUB had the lead in shots (23) and shots on goal (12) but was unable to capitalize. 

Following the Mary game, the Jackets have their final tune-up a week from today as Carroll College comes to Billings.  MSUB begins its quest for a GNAC championship Wed., Sept. 24 against Central Washington at 4 p.m. at the MSUB Soccer Field beginning a four game conference home stand.