BILLINGS, Mont. – Taking on its crosstown rivals in the two teams' annual Rimrock Rivalry matchup, the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team played Rocky Mountain College level after 90 minutes, with the game finishing in a 2-2 draw.
A hot start from the Yellowjackets would see them take an early lead, but a first half rally from the Battlin' Bears would see the visitors move ahead 2-1 going into the break. But after multiple close chances, the 'Jackets would finally draw even in the 75th minute on a long shot from Abby Thompson, and would continue to push on from there to find the winning goal, but would be unable to put one away before the final whistle, picking up a positive result in the team's final test before kicking off the regular season.
Thompson attempted three shots in the game, putting two on goal, including her equalizer. She would be joined on the scoresheet by Cesia Swain, who scored once and put three of her six shots in the game on goal. Kennedy Craig would attempt five shots with three on target, while Kelsie Cox put her lone effort on frame. A pair of freshmen in Brooklynn Noble and Emmersyn Burckley would each shoot four times, with Noble collecting an assist on Swain's goal.
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In net, fellow freshman Tenley Leffler would save three shots, standing between the sticks for the full 90 minutes.
MSUB would come out of the gates on the front foot, putting two efforts on goal in the first five minutes and attempting the game's first five shots. The fifth would see Swain rewarded on an impressive effort from well outside the box off the feed from Noble driven past the diving goalkeeper and push the 'Jackets in front in the 15th minute. Both teams would then trade chances while the game continued onward, but MSUB continued to control possession. The Battlin' Bears would find their break in the form of a loose ball from a corner, which would see Darby McMahill lob one over a scrum of players and into the net to pull Rocky level. The Battlin' Bears would kick on from there, waiting just three minutes later to find their second goal of the half, this time from Charlize Davis, that would pull them ahead 2-1 going into halftime.
But a young Yellowjacket side would come out ready to climb back into the game, with the hosts outshooting Rocky 16-6 overall in the second half, and 5-2 in shots on goal. But despite dominating the second half chances, MSUB would be kept scoreless despite a number of close chances, including a shot off the post from Burckley. But just 23 seconds after hitting the post, the ball would be sent back into the box from the wing by Thompson, with the Battlin' Bears goalkeeper getting a hand to it but unable to push it out as the 'Jackets would find new life, evening up the game. The 'Jackets would come dangerously close to finding a winner, taking four shots across the final eight minutes, including the game's final effort from Craig that would glance the crossbar. But in the end, the two crosstown foes could not be separated, settling for the tie after a strong offensive showing from MSUB.
The buzz
Kolbi Kiblen was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game, after playing 83 minutes in the midfield during the match. Kiblen was one of four freshmen to start the match for MSUB, and five that played in 30 minutes or more of action. The defensive trio of Ava Curtright, Ava Gibbs, and Vivian Gaither each played the full 90 minutes, as did Swain and Leffler. MSUB outshot Rocky 23-9 in total for the game, and 9-5 in shots on goal.
Up next
The Yellowjackets will jump into regular season play next week, kicking things off with a match at home on Thursday, August 27 against University of Minnesota Crookston. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Yellowjacket Field, with live video available on the GNAC Network, and live statistics available here. Tickets for all MSUB home matches are available for purchase online here, as well as season ticket packages.
