Lady Jackets Topped in Finale (10/28/06)
Box Score
Game Photos
Coach Trentham post game audio

BILLINGS, MT – St. Edward’s University overcame the wind and a significant shot deficit to spoil Senior Day for the Montana State-Billings women’s soccer team on Saturday.  The Hilltoppers used a pair of goals from Kim Abbott to prevail 2-0 and capture the 2006 Heartland Conference Championship.

“It was another good game from two good teams,” said Yellowjacket coach Don Trentham.  “My hat’s off to St. Edward’s and their program.  They have a tremendous team.  To go from fourth place in the conference last year to the best team in the conference and going to the NCAA Tournament this year is a credit to their coach and players.”

With a strong wind at their backs in the first half, the Yellowjackets (13-6-1) fired 11 first half shots, including five shots on goal.  Hilltoppers goalkeeper Alexis Adams withstood the barrage for 45 minutes, however, making five first half saves.  Abbott scored what would turn out to be the game winner at 20:39 when she maneuvered around defenders near the top of the box and fired from about 25 yards over the top of MSUB keeper Megan Plank (Phoenix, AZ). 

With the wind at the Hilltoppers’ backs in the second half, Abbott put the game away with her second goal of the game and twelfth of the season at 51:00.  The goal came after Kristi Morgan’s corner kick dribbled through Yellowjacket defenders to the far side of the box where Abbott was waiting to tap it in.

The Yellowjackets out-shot the Toppers 15-7 in the game, but were unable to take advantage of scoring chances.  Ally Stroup (Ojai, CA) and Abby Bennett (Livingston, MT) each had two shots on goal for MSUB.  Abbott finished with three shots on goal for St. Ed’s (17-2-1).

“We played well today,” said Trentham.  “We created chances.  Unfortunately we couldn’t put the ball in the net, and with their few chances they capitalized on them.  The bottom line is you have to score goals to win.”

The Hilltoppers entered the game ranked second in the NCAA Midwest Region and likely locked up a spot in next week’s NCAA Tournament.  MSU Billings came into the game ranked fifth in the region and likely needed a win to have a chance at the postseason.  The top four ranked teams in the region receive invitations to the NCAA Tourney.

The Jackets’ Stroup, Plank and Jenny Moellendorf (Green River, WY) were playing their final games as Yellowjackets.  Plank finished as the school record holder for almost every goalkeeping category.  Stroup holds every offensive record in the career school record books.  Moellendorf finished second in school history for career games played.

“This was a great season for the program,” concluded Trentham.  “The players all need to be proud of that.  They worked hard all season.  I’m extremely proud of every single player.”