Lady Jackets Shutout Rattlers for Thrifty Cup (9/5/05)
Box Score

BILLINGS, MT – The Montana State-Billings women’s soccer team used stout defense and a goal from a freshman to beat St. Mary’s University in the championship game of the Fourth Annual MSU Billings Thrifty Cup on Monday, winning 1-0.  The victory improved the Yellowjackets to 3-1-1 overall and gave them their second MSU Billings Cup in the four years of the tournament.  St. Mary’s dropped its first game of the year to fall to 2-1-0.

Yellowjacket goalkeeper Megan Plank (Phoenix, AZ) was named the tournament MVP after pitching two shutouts.  MSU Billings blanked Adams State, 4-0, on Saturday.  In five games this season, Plank has allowed only four goals for a 0.77 goals against average.

The Yellowjacket defense in front of Plank was nearly impenetrable all weekend, limiting opponents to a combined 11 total shots in the two games.  Abby Bennett (So., Livingston, MT) was all over the field on Monday, seemingly winning every loose ball that came near her.  Senior Lacey Albrent (Ojai, CA) also had a big weekend, making several key plays in the Yellowjackets’ box to keep the Rattlers off the board.

“I’m really happy with the defense,” said Yellowjacket head coach Don Trentham.  “In the last four games we’ve given up two goals.  Things are coming together nicely back there.  You want to be strong defensively early in the season.  I don’t think we’re scoring enough goals right now, so you need the defense to come through.  I thought Lacey and Abby played a great game back there today.”

With the Jacket D at the top of its game, MSU Billings needed just one goal to get the win.  Freshman Chelsea Libby (Puyallup, WA) provided the game winner at the 27:28 mark.  Libby and midfielder Ally Stroup (Jr., Ojai, CA) broke behind the Rattlers’ defense for a two-on-one attack.  Libby passed to Stroup, who returned the pass in time for Libby to score from point blank range.

MSU Billings dominated the early going, keeping St. Mary’s goalkeeper Lily Cano busy all day.  The Yellowjackets out shot the Rattlers 14-6 in the game with Cano making four first half saves to keep the game close.  Although the Rattlers seemed to be the aggressors in the second half, they still managed just one shot, which was saved by Plank.

“I think we’re in good shape in the region,” Trentham said of his team’s early season schedule against five regional teams.  “St Mary’s is a team that could be in the mix for the top 10.  I think we’re right there, but it’s not up to us.  We’ll just keep playing hard and see where it puts us in the rankings.”

The Yellowjackets finished last season ranked tenth in the very tough Far West Region.  St. Mary’s was one of the top teams in the Midwest Region a year ago, finishing ninth in the final rankings.  MSU Billings moved to the Midwest Region for soccer this year after joining the Heartland Conference.  The top four teams in each of NCAA Division II’s eight regions qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

“We’re a young team,” added Trentham.  “We only have one senior.  A lot of freshmen and sophomores are starting.  It’s exciting that they’re doing as well as they are.  That’s exciting for the future as well.  Chelsea Libby had a big weekend for us.  To have a freshman score a goal in a big game like today’s, that says a lot about her as a player. 

Monday’s game was the first ever between an MSU Billings team and a Heartland Conference opponent.  The head to head results from the regular season will be used to seed four teams for the Heartland Conference tournament to be hosted by defending conference champion St. Edward’s on November 4-6.

“I’m real proud of the kids and the way they played today and throughout the weekend,” said Trentham.  “Any time you have two shutouts and two wins, you have to pleased with the way your players are playing.”

The Yellowjackets next play on September 10 when they host University of Mary and September 11 when they host University of Great Falls.