Women's Soccer | 10/4/2008 3:24:30 PM
Box Score BILLINGS, Mont. - The Western Oregon University women's soccer team lost its first match in its last four contests as it fell 2-1 at Montana State Billings, Saturday Oct. 4.
The loss drops the Wolves to 5-6-1 on the season and 1-2-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. With the victory, the Yellowjackets improved to 2-2 in conference and 7-4 on the season.
Western Oregon got the scoring started in the 16th minute as Jessica Hicks connected on her first goal of the season to give WOU the early 1-0 advantage. The goal came off an assist by Stephani Catt, which Hicks then chipped over the goalkeeper's head for the score.
Montana State Billings answered right back with a goal of its own in the 17th minute as Carly Valentine put back the rebounded shot for the goal. Western Oregon goalkeeper Brittney Rigtrup blocked MSUB's initial shot but the ball slipped out of her hands and Valentine deposited the ball in the back of the net for the opportunistic goal.
The Yellowjackets added the eventual game-winner in the 33rd minute of play, on Mandy Ploskonka's goal off a short corner kick, to take the 2-1 lead which they never relinquished.
"It was a very competitive match," said head coach Rod Fretz, "we played well all day but were not able to come away with the win. We played an especially strong second half but we just couldn't get one in the net."
Rigtrup played the entire first half in goal and recorded four saves but also surrendered two goals and was pulled in the second half for Kelsie Blachly, who recorded two saves and did not allow a goal in her 45 minutes in net.
The Wolves posted shots on goal on seven of its eight shots compared to just eight of 15 shots on goal for the Yellowjackets. Western Oregon was also called for nine more fouls in the match (14-5).
The Western Oregon women's soccer team (5-6-1) will now return home to host No. 15 nationally ranked Seattle Pacific Wednesday Oct. 8, at 4:00 p.m.
