Jackets Blank Eastern New Mexico, 3-0

Box Score

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings women’s soccer team picked up from where it left off yesterday and blanked Eastern New Mexico, 3-0 Sunday afternoon.  With the win, the Jackets improve to 2-1 on the year, while ENMU falls to 0-3. 

“I think the first 15 minutes we weathered the storm,” head coach Don Trentham said.  “They came out fired up and after we got our first goal, we settled down and started to play some good soccer.”

The Zias came out firing through the first 15 minutes and had the Jackets on their heels.  Moments later, however, MSUB had a run down the left side.  Ali Gamberg fired a shot that squirted through the hands of ENMU’s keeper, Sierra Cardenas, Kari Foreman as there for the empty netter for a 1-0 lead at the 22:41 mark.  It was Foreman’s second goal of the season.

Both the Zias and Yellowjackets had four shots in the opening half and MSUB had two saves, to the Zias’ one.  Gamberg paced the Jackets with two shots in the half, while Samantha Lawrence had two shots for ENMU. 

The Yellowjackets had two good looks early on in the second half.  First, Ali Gamberg received a through ball at the top of the box and fired, but Zia keeper, Jami Silva, made a great play on the ball for the save. 

Moments later, the Jackets increased the lead in the 53rd minute as Mandy Ploskonka took a corner kick on the right side, serving the ball into the box with Amy Remsberg getting her head on it for the score and a 2-0 lead. 

MSUB added another goal for a 3-0 lead in the 65th minute off a corner kick.  Ploskonka took the corner and centered it to Remsberg who dished it to Melissa Carlson for the score.  It was the second set piece goal for the Jackets on the day.

For the game, MSUB out-shot ENMU 12-6, including 8-2 in the second half.  Gamberg led the Yellowjackets with four shots and three on goal.  Ploskonka had two assists to lead the way. 

“Overall I am pleased by the fact we are 2-1 at this point,” Trentham said.  “We have identified some things to work on and we will continue to get better.”

The Yellowjackets hit the road next weekend at the Augustana Tournament in Sioux Falls, SD.  MSUB faces Adams State, Sept. 6, and at Augustana College, Sept. 7.  The Jackets return home Sept. 13 against the University of Mary at 1 p.m.