Lady Jackets Roll with Sixth Straight “W” (9/9/06)
Box Score
Sophomore Melissa Carlson post game audio

SAN ANTONIO, TX – The Montana State-Billings women’s soccer team is playing well and it shows.  The Lady Jackets picked up their sixth straight win Saturday against Heartland Conference opponent St. Mary’s University in double overtime.  Today’s win gives the Yellowjackets the school record for most consecutive wins improving the team to 6-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in league play.  The Rattlers dropped to 1-1-1 and 0-1-0 in the Heartland.

“I though we looked good in the first half,” said Yellowjacket head coach Don Trentham.  “St. Mary’s controlled the second 45 minutes but we have been in this position before (overtime) and know how to handle it.”

The game was a defensive match up through regulation play as neither team was able to score in the first 90 minutes.  The Rattlers posted 10 shots with five on goal to the Jackets 14 shots and seven on goal.  Just 1:49 into the second overtime, Ally Stroup (Ojai, CA) laid in the ball to teammate Melissa Carlson (Renton, WA).  Carlson found herself in the right position to blast in the shot from 25 yards, giving the Jackets the golden goal win and Carlson’s first collegiate goal. 

“Both teams were evenly matched, we just did enough to get the goal and the win,” added Trentham.  “Our defense played outstanding.  Anytime you can keep the home team from scoring on their own field it speaks volumes about your defense.” 

The Yellowjackets were ranked seventh in last weeks NSCAA poll for the Mid West Region and today’s win may catapult the team in their quest to make the NCAA Tournament. 

Although it was not a highly offensive game, Jackets’ goalkeeper Megan Plank (Phoenix, AZ) made five saves on the day.  Plank’s shutout was the fifth of the season tying her own 2005 record.  One more shutout for the decorated Plank and she will tie the record of six dating back to 1999.  The Yellowjackets’ defense has compiled 320:20 consecutive shutout minutes, good enough for third in school history.  The team has also posted a 0.16 goals against average with just one goal scored against the team this season.  

Stroup, who already holds numerous records, moved into first in school history following today’s assist for consecutive games with a least one point scored, with six. 

The Lady Jackets travel to Laredo, Texas to play Texas A&M – International (0-1-0) Sunday, September 10 before rounding out the three-game road trip against University of the Incarnate Word (2-0-1) September 12.