Defense leads way in MSUB draw with Minnesota Crookston

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team opened up its 2026 regular season on Thursday night, beginning the campaign with a 0-0 draw against University of Minnesota Crookston.

The Yellowjackets (0-0-1) had more chances in the match than the Golden Eagles (0-0-1), allowing the visitors to attempt just four shots, while putting six of their eight chances on goal. But after 90 minutes, there was nothing to separate the two sides as they shared a point to open the season.

Kennedy Craig and Emmersyn Burckley each put both of their shot attempts on goal in the match, while Cesia Swain shot twice, with one shot on goal. Kolbi Kiblen put her lone shot on goal, while Brooklynn Noble attempted one shot. In defense, MSUB saw Ava Curtright and Vivian Gaither each play a full 90 minutes, while freshman goalkeeper Tenley Leffler made three saves, keeping her first career shutout.

It took just four minutes for the Yellowjackets to create the game's first great chance, playing a ball through to Burckley, whose shot to the bottom right corner was saved by Golden Eagles shot-stopper Phoenix DeBrusk, keeping the game locked at zero-all. Chances were hard to come by as the teams battled from there, with Leffler recording her first save at the 14-minute mark. The game did not see another shot attempt until the 29^th minute, when another dangerous moment saw Craig find an angle to fire on goal. That attempt was saved by DeBrusk, who pushed the rebound back out to Burckley, but the freshman's follow-up attempt was kept out once more, keeping the Golden Eagles level with the 'Jackets. There was just one more shot in the first half as the teams continued to battle in the midfield, neither side able to find much room as the game remained deadlocked heading into halftime.

The defenses remained equally tough to break down in the second half, keeping chances at a minimum. MSUB held the majority of chances in the second half, outshooting Minnesota Crookston 4-2 and 3-2 in shots on goal, seeing its first shot on goal in the 54^th minute from Kiblen but was denied once more. The Golden Eagles followed that look up with two shots on goal within the next five minutes, but Leffler handled both attempts, while the defense did not allow another shot from the visitors following the 59^th minute. MSUB fired three more shots, with another close look from Craig being rebuffed before a curling effort from outside the box by Swain saw DeBrusk force it wide off her fingertips. The 'Jackets were unable to find a way through the Golden Eagles backline from there, with the game finishing in a hard-fought draw, starting the season with a positive result for MSUB.

The buzz

Kelsie Cox was selected as the Player of the Game, putting in an impressive shift in midfield. Cox was one of seven Yellowjackets who played the full match, joining Curtright, Gaither, Craig, Swain, Kiblen and Leffler. The game marked the Yellowjacket debuts and first starts for Leffler, Noble, Kiblen, Burckley, Gaither and Ava Gibbs, while Amaya Lorash and Jordyn Daigle made their first MSUB appearances off the bench.

Up next

The Yellowjackets will head across the state to Missoula for an exhibition match against University of Montana, facing off against the Grizzlies on Sunday, August 30 at 1 p.m. at South Campus Stadium. Live video will be available on ESPN+, while live statistics can be found online here.