BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team concluded its 2026 campaign on Saturday against Western Oregon University, falling 1-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
The Yellowjackets (2-11-5, 2-10-2 GNAC) and Wolves (5-8-5, 4-6-4 GNAC) battled evenly throughout the entire 90 minutes of the match, with Western Oregon finishing just slightly ahead of MSUB in total shots, despite the 'Jackets putting six shots on goal to four from the Wolves. But a late first-half goal from Western Oregon proved to be the difference between the two sides in the match, giving the visitors the victory in an even contest.
MSUB honored three student-athletes pregame in senior ceremonies, with Cesia Swain, Mille Bamer and Vivian Gaither being recognized.
People are also reading…
Swain led the way with seven attempted shots in the game, placing four efforts on goal. Bamer attempted two shots with one shot on goal, while Maggie James put her single shot in the match on goal. Cianna Sexton, Peyton Tarabokija and Kennedy Craig each shot once in the match.
In goal, Tenley Leffler made three saves, finishing the year with a total of 107 saves, matching Gretchen Kau's mark in 2000 to tie for the second-most saves in a season in program history. The freshman finished the regular season as the GNAC leader, while totaling a .823 save percentage. Leffler also finished as one of two Yellowjackets who played every minute of each match, as did captain Ava Curtright.
The teams traded looks in the early stages as they worked to figure each other out, with Swain's attempt in the 21st minute being the first effort to force a save in the match. Momentum flipped the way of the Wolves shortly after that, with the visitors attempting six straight shots in a 15-minute stretch. The final look of the first half for Western Oregon broke the deadlock in the waning seconds of the 41st minute, with a cross finding the head of Leiloa Fesolai, who put it in the top right corner to put her Western Oregon side ahead just minutes before halftime.
The Yellowjackets came out firing in the second half as they attempted to mount a comeback, with Swain and Bamer combining to put three shots on goal in the first eight minutes, each of which was saved by WOU goalkeeper Ayanah Soon. The Wolves found their share of chances as well in the second half, but Leffler collected each of her saves in the period, leaving the visitors stranded at one goal. Multiple 'Jackets threatened late in the match, with three more shots from Swain while Tarabokija narrowly missed an effort that went just high. But despite the Yellowjackets' push to equalize, WOU held firm to keep the shutout and take the win.
The buzz
Swain was named the Player of the Game. The three seniors each played the full 90 minutes, as did Leffler, Curtright, Sexton, Tarabokija, Kelsie Cox and Ava Gibbs. Abby Thompson finished the season with a team-leading five points, coming from two goals and an assist. Thompson and fellow Billings local Emmersyn Burckley tied for the team lead in goals for the season with two. Seven different Yellowjackets collected an assist on the season to lead the team. The Yellowjacket defense finished as the third-best unit in the conference, allowing just 1.28 goals per game.
