SPEARFISH, S.D. – It will be a clash between the "Jackets" on Wednesday afternoon as the Black Hills State University women's soccer team will open their 2024 home schedule against a familiar regional foe, Montana State Billings, at the Black Hills Power Sports Complex on Wednesday afternoon. Entering the match with an 0-1-1 mark from this past weekend's Rimrock Classic, BHSU will be in search of their first win of the year as they face MSUB in a 3 p.m. kick-off.
 
GAME DETAILS
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 11 at 3 p.m.
Location: Spearfish, S.D. – Black Hills Power Sports Complex
Theme: USA – Fans are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue, "USA" themed attire to the match.
 
BLACK HILLS STATE STORYLINES

• Black Hills State enters Wednesday's home opener with a record of 0-1-1 following an opening weekend of play at the Rimrock Classic that featured a 0-0 draw with Carroll and a 3-0 loss to UMary.
• Announced on Wednesday, August 28, the Yellow Jackets were voted 12^th in the 2024 RMAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• While still seeking their first goal of the season, Black Hills State has recorded 11 shots, six shots on goal, three corner kicks, and nine saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched three goals, two assists, 27 shots, 12 shots on goal, 12 corner kicks, and six saves.
• Despite searching for their first points of the season, the BHSU offense returns their top-5 points leaders from a year ago, including Jayda Hammer, Hailey Warren, Kayla Osegueda, Audrey Sillanpaa, and Katy Vinton.
• Hammer led the Green & Gold in both goals (4) and points (8) last season while Warren, Osegueda, and Sillanpaa each found the back of the net on two occasions a year ago.
• Warren was the Yellow Jackets assist leader in 2023, tallying three to pair with her two goals for seven points on the year. Additionally, Osegueda and Vinton return having both assisted on a pair of goals last season as well.
• Headlined by Allie Brown who has played in 60 matches while making 51 starts during her career, the Black Hills State defense posted their first shutout of the season against Carroll this past Thursday, which marked the seventh she has been a part of in her career. Other notable defenders who have played this season include Ainsley Wilson and Makaiah Carlson who have recorded 158 and 138 minutes of playing time thus far in 2024.
• This season in goal, Makayla Dannelly has started both games, making nine saves and allowing only three goals for a 1.50 goals against average. She has notched one shutout this year which brings her BHSU career total to six.
• John Hutchison is in his second season as the head coach of the Yellow Jackets. 

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS STORYLINES

• Montana State Billings enters Wednesday's match-up with a record of 2-0 following an opening weekend of play at the Rimrock Classic that featured a 1-0 win over UMary and a 5-0 win over Carroll.
• The Yellowjackets enter the 2024 season picked to finish seventh in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll. In 2023 MSUB held a 4-10-3 (4-8-2 CCC) mark that was good enough for sixth in the league standings.
• MSUB brings back 2023 All-GNAC Second Team honoree, Liberty Palmer, and All-GNAC Honorable Mentions, Jackie Sharpe, Erika Wilson, and Sunny Bennion.
• Kendall McGraw leads the Yellowjacket offense as she has found the back of the net twice for six points on the year.
• Jackie Sharpe leads the team with a pair of assists to go along with her one goal as she has totaled four points thus far in 2024.
• This season in goal, Claire Brogdon has started both games, making eight saves and has yet to allow a goal in 180:00 minutes of action. She has notched two shutouts thus far in her freshman campaign.
• In 2024 MSU Billings has recorded six goals, six assists, 41 shots, 18 shots on goal, 12 corner kicks, and eight saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched no goals or assists, 27 shots, eight shots on goal, nine corner kicks, and 12 saves.
• Abiye Jack is in his second season as the head coach at Montana State Billings. 

SERIES HISTORY

• Wednesday will mark the fifth all-time meeting between Black Hills State and Montana State Billings, as MSUB enters the match-up with a 3-0-1 lead in the series.
• Each of the last two meetings have taken place in Spearfish, South Dakota, with MSUB holding the 1-0-1 edge in those match-ups.
• In the last match-up on September 14, 2023, MSU Billings earned a 2-1 win at the Black Hills Power Sports Complex.