BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University women's soccer team collected its second straight draw to open the regular season Thursday night, playing even with Minnesota State University Moorhead in a 1-1 contest on day one of the Rimrock Classic.
The Yellowjackets (0-0-2) dominated the game's chances, firing 25 total shots, the team's most in a single game since 2023, and putting 13 shots on goal, while the defense allowed just 10 shots and two shots on goal. Freshman Emmersyn Burckley opened the scoring in the second half to give the Yellowjackets the lead, but a late goal from the Dragons (1-0-1) leveled the game once more, with neither team able to break the deadlock before the final whistle.
Burckley converted her lone shot on goal, attempting two shots in the game. Her finish marked the first goal of her collegiate career. Cesia Swain meanwhile attempted 10 shots for MSUB, the most by a Yellowjacket since Julia Keller in 2019, putting five shots on goal. Kennedy Craig placed two of her three shots on goal, as did Jordyn Daigle. Kolbi Kiblen shot twice with one shot on goal. Abby Thompson and Millie Bamer each placed their lone shots on goal, while Cianna Sexton, Vivian Gaither, and Peyton Tarabokija each attempted one shot. Tarabokija collected the assist on Burckley's goal, the first of the defender's career. Tenley Leffler made one save.
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After slowly growing into the game across the opening 10 minutes, with the only pair of chances coming off blocked shots from the Dragons, the Yellowjackets turned up the pressure on offense, attacking strong from the wings and stealing momentum. Across the remaining minutes of the first half, MSUB outshot Moorhead 11-2, locking up on defense to prevent a single shot on goal while placing four shots on goal. MSUB threatened to take the lead at multiple points, with a 27th-minute scrum off a corner kick seeing a rebounded effort from Swain hit off the crossbar, while a pair of shots to the left corner in the final minutes of the half from Swain and Daigle forced tough saves from Dragons goalkeeper Emilia Kristensen, with her efforts in net helping Minnesota State Moorhead hold the game to a scoreless tie going into halftime.
The Yellowjackets continued to pour on the offensive pressure in the second half, outshooting the Dragons 13-6 overall, and 9-2 in shots on target across the final 45 minutes. MSUB continuously pressured to find its opening goal, including a run of six shots on goal in an 11-minute span. The team's efforts were finally rewarded after a looping ball from Tarabokija cleared the Dragons backline, finding the foot of a running Burckley, with the Billings local putting a long shot in the back of the net to give MSUB a deserved lead in the 72nd minute.
The lead lasted only eight minutes, following a scrum in the box after a Moorhead corner kick, when the ball found the head of Mary Cox, who put the ball past a sea of bodies and into the goal to give the Dragons an equalizer. Both teams found opportunities to take the lead, with MSUB putting two more looks on goal following the equalizer while an effort from the visitors took a glance off the right post. In the end, neither team was able to find separation late, as the Yellowjackets finished with their second consecutive draw.
The buzz: Burckley was named the Player of the Game for her efforts. The game marked the first career start for Alaina Asan.
The Yellowjackets will finish off the Rimrock Classic with a matchup on Saturday, September 5 against University of Mary at Yellowjacket Field, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. Live video will be available on the GNAC Network, while live statistics will be available here. Tickets can be purchased online here.
