NAMPA, Idaho — "Senior Day" isn't supposed to end this way.

For 75 minutes Saturday afternoon, the Crusaders enjoyed a perfect day on the pitch, holding a two-goal lead in the final game of the collegiate career of seniors Sarah Blum and Catlin Jensen.

Then Montana State Billings spoiled everything, scoring twice late to force overtime where the Yellowjackets eventually pulled out a 3-2 win in double overtime in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at Finkbeiner Park on the NNU campus.

"I am proud of our overall effort and the hard work our seniors have put in this year," NNU head women's soccer coach Mary Trigg said after the disheartening result.

"We're a young program that's still learning how to win," Trigg added.

Early on it looked like the Crusaders (4-11-3 overall, 3-10-1 GNAC) had the winning formula figured out as Nicole Nsa was pushed down from behind in the goal box, drawing a penalty kick.

Lexi Fesenbek converted the kick into a 1-0 lead just 3 minutes, 46 seconds after the "Senior Day" ceremonies had concluded, and NNU was on it's way.

Nsa then gave NNU a 2-0 edge when she chipped a goal over the Yellowjackets goalkeeper, Krystal Daniels, following a Fesenbek corner kick in the 26^th minute.

The Crusaders then went to work making their two-goal margin hold up, as Daniele Ortiz made 13 saves in goal.

But as time began winding down, NNU's energy did as well, and MSU Billings (11-3-2, 9-3-2) took advantage of a tiring Crusader team with limited subs because of injuries.

Chelsea Shuman gave the Yellowjackets comeback some hope when she scored with 15:06 remaining in regulation, making the score 2-1.

Then Katlyn Lokay scored her first of two goals with 6:40 left in the second half, tying it and forcing overtime.

After a scoreless first overtime session, Lokay finished off the comeback win for the Yellowjackets with a shot from 20 yards out with 5:47 left on the clock.

The loss ended a strong season for the Crusaders on a sour note, as NNU set a program record with a five-game unbeaten streak earlier in the year and Fesenbek set a single-season record for assists with 12 total.