Jackets Blanked By Central Washington in Conference Opener, 2-0

Box Score

BILLINGS, Mont. – Two first half goals proved to be too much as Central Washington defeated the Montana State Billings women’s soccer team, 2-0, Wednesday afternoon at the MSUB Soccer Field.  With the loss, the Yellowjackets fall to 5-3 on the year and 0-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while CWU improves to 4-2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

“I am disappointed,” head coach Don Trentham said.  “I think we bottled it in the first half and I told the team that our three losses have all come from first half goals.  I am disappointed with the effort coming out today.  You have to give Central Washington a lot of credit, they are a good team, they came on the road and got the win.”

It was a tale of two halves as the Wildcats got on the board early as Ellie Eckroth scored her first goal of the season and the game winner off a free kick from Kaycie Hutchins just outside the box for a 1-0 lead a the 7:19 mark.  Just over five minutes later, Lynde Clarke scored her first goal of the year as well off assists from Eckroth and Monique Cornier.  Cornier and Eckroth drove down the right side and dished off to Clarke who was just inside the box on the left.  Clarke fired and hit the far right post and bounced in. 

The goals were the first two goals MSUB has allowed in over two games.

Central held a 4-3 lead in shots in the first half and a 2-1 lead in corner kicks. 

The second half was a different story as the Yellowjackets came out with more vigor and out-shot the Wildcats 10-4 in the second half alone and 13-8 for the game, but were unable to get a goal. 

“On the flipside, I am pretty happy with the way we responded at halftime, but we have responded well three times that this year and we shouldn’t have to give up early goals to get going.”

In addition to out-shooting the Wildcats, the Yellowjackets also had eight corner kick opportunities in the second half alone and nine for the game, including a string of six corners in a span of under five minutes, but were unable to score. 

CWU goalkeeper, Amber Easterbrook, was quite busy in the second half with seven saves.

The Yellowjackets look to get back on track, Saturday at 1 p.m. at the MSUB Soccer Field versus No. 17 Seattle Pacific.