Box Score




NAMPA, Idaho — The Crusaders couldn't close out the Yellowjackets, and in the end got stung by visiting Montana State Billings.

Dominating play much of the game, the Northwest Nazarene women's soccer team couldn't pad its one-goal lead and saw MSU Billings rally with a pair of second-half goals to snag a 2-1 comeback win in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at Finkbeiner Park on the NNU campus on Thursday.

"Soccer's a hard sport, " NNU head coach Mary Trigg said, adding, "that's our second game in a row that we're dominating play and getting in the attack and possessing most of the game and we didn't finish enough chances."

The second straight 2-1 setback for NNU started off looking pretty good as the Crusaders did dominate the game and broke on top when Madi Taylor booted home a cross from teammate Hannah Holm with 15:17 left in the first half.
 

The Crusaders (2-7-0 overall, 0-4-0 GNAC) continued to press forward and looked to add to their lead, but for the next 30 minutes the scoreboard remained stuck at 1-0 until a bouncing ball changed the game.

A long pass forward from Kari Kastelic bounced over the NNU defense and Jordan Devoto tracked it down, converting the first goal of the comeback for the Yellowjackets (2-4-2, 2-0-1), tying it at 1-1 with 16:24 gone in the second half.

Still, NNU had chances to potentially pulled away, outshooting the 'Jackets 10-9 in the game, but it was missed chances that left the door open for Montana State Billings.

"We need to be able to put away our chances," Trigg said.

The 'Jackets did just that with 15:19 to go as Alycia Wright kicked in a loose ball follow a corner kick, which proved to be the heartbreaking game-winner.

Daniele Ortiz made two saves in goal in the setback for NNU, which looks to bounce back from the heartbreaking loss when it hosts Saint Martin's on Saturday at 1 p.m.