Four First Half Goals Sink Yellowjackets in Season Opener, 4-0

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BILLINGS, Mont. – A hat trick by Dixie State’s Erika Mouritsen capped a four goal first half for the Rebels and propelled them to a 4-0 victory over Montana State Billings Thursday afternoon in the second game of the Sixth Annual MSUB Cup, Presented by Best Western Clocktower Inn.

“We will get better throughout the season as we have freshmen and sophomores starting in the back,” head coach Don Trentham said.  “As we talked at halftime, we are going to get better and I think we started to get some shots in the second half.”

Dixie State opened the game with two quick goals to get things started.  Dixie State’s Erin Beeston found the net after a couple of nice saves from Yellowjacket goalkeeper, Jordan Fenwick, at the 12:28 mark in the first half.  Moments later, Mouritsen scored her first of three first half goals off a nice cross pass from Mikala Wilkes for a 2-0 lead at the 13:35 mark. 

Just over five minutes later (18:54), Mouritsen found the back of the net again off two nice passes from Jessica Nelson-Mortensen and Camille Peterson for a 3-0 lead.  Mouritsen scored her hat trick in the 35th minute after a pair of nice saves from Fenwick, followed by the put back for the score and a 4-0 lead.

Mourtisen tied the tournament record with three goals in a game.  Former Yellowjackets, Ally Stroup and Brittney Sandau, each had three goals against Texas-Permian Basin, Sept. 2, 2006.  

The Rebels outshot the Yellowjackets in the first half 11-1.  The lone Yellowjacket shot in the half came from Samantha Sandau as she hit one just high over the crossbar.

In the second half, the Yellowjackets had more intensity and fired four shots in the period, to DSC’s five.  Fenewick had two saves in the second half for eight for the game.  Chelsea Libby had a couple of good looks, but was unable to get anything across.

Mourtisen led the Rebels with six shots, five on goal and three goals. 

The tournament concludes Saturday at 11 a.m., when Dixie State faces Eastern New Mexico and MSUB battles Fort Lewis at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the MSUB Soccer Field.