By: Jamal Smith Sports Editor
The Wolves women’s soccer team lost at home to Montana State University-Billings (MSU) 1-0 on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The loss brings the Wolves overall record to 7-7-1 and 3-6-1 in GNAC conference play.
A large crowd was on-hand to cheer on the pack for senior day, the last home game of the year.
“Senior day is a very exciting day and it’s a really emotional day,” stated head coach Steve Ancheta. “It’s hard to keep all of those emotions in check and come out and play well against a good opponent.”
Western fed off the energy from the crowd and pressed the Yellow Jacket’s defense.
Controversy arose in the 15th minute after the Wolves sent a cross into MSU’s 18-yard box which should have been a hand ball on one of MSU’s defenders. However, the referee chose not to award Western a penalty kick.
MSU took the lead in the 36th minute on a shot from the top of the 18-yard box which sailed over Nicole Tejada’s (GK) outstretched arms.
In the second half, the Wolves continued to press MSU but couldn’t find the back of the net. Western’s best chance for a goal came in the 56th minute when junior Mariah Konyn (M) just missed the top right corner.
The Wolves would outshoot MSU 14-4, but the Yellow Jacket’s stingy defense held their clean sheet.
“Although we lost, we still worked really hard as a team, and I’m really happy for our seniors,” stated Ancheta. “They brought a lot to this team and I will miss all those guys.”
The Wolves hit the road for the final two games remaining on their schedule. The first is against Seattle Pacific University on Thursday, Oct. 29, and the final game of the season is against Simon Frasier University Saturday, Oct. 31.
