Western Oregon Blanks Yellowjackets, 3-0

Box Score

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon posted a 3-0 over visiting Montana State Billings Thursday afternoon in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. With the loss, the Yellowjackets fall to 8-8 overall and 3-5 in conference play. WOU improves to 6-7-2 overall and 2-3-2 in the conference.

“You are not going to win many games giving up three goals on the road,” head coach Don Trentham said. “We will need to prepare better Saturday if we expect a better result.”

The Wolves out-shot MSUB 16-8, including 10-7 in shots on goal for the game. Sam Slezak came off the bench and scored her first goal of the season and game winner with an assist from Maggie Kuzmer in the 24th minute as WOU held a 1-0 lead at intermission.

In the second half, the Wolves capitalized two times as Brenna Lander and Melinda Ingalls both scored. Lander’s goal came in the 61st minute, while Ingalls scored on a penalty kick for a 3-0 lead. Kuzmer added her second assist of the game on the Lander goal.

Yellowjacket goalkeeper Brittany Knudtzon made her second start of the season and her first complete game as she allowed three goals, but had a season-high seven saves in the losing effort. Senior Mandy Ploskonka led the Yellowjacket offensively with three shots on goal. Ali Gamberg also had a shot on goal, but had her streak of three games straight with a goal snapped.

MSUB will look to rebound Saturday at 3 p.m. PST at Saint Martin’s. The Yellowjackets scored two goals in the final seven minutes of regulation versus the Saints and won the game in overtime Oct. 2, in Billings. The Yellowjackets then will return home to face nationally ranked Western Washington in the final home game of the season Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. at the College of Technology Field.