BILLINGS, Mont. - The Black Hills State University women's soccer team improved their record to 2-0-1 on Thursday night at the Yellowjacket Soccer Field, notching their best 3-game start to a season in program history while also capturing their first-ever win over UMary with a 4-2 victory. Despite being outshot 30-15 and 9-7 in shots on goal, the Yellow Jackets never trailed as another balanced offensive attack saw three different players score, including a pair from true freshman Ivy Agee. Fueling that offensive attack was 5th year Rapid City native Kylea Becker, as she assisted on two corner kick set pieces and became the school's single season assist record holder with four through just three matches.
QUICK DETAILS
Score: Black Hills State 4, UMary 2
Team Records: Black Hills State 2-0-1 (0-0 RMAC), UMary 0-1-1 (0-0-0 NSIC)
Attendance: 67
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Black Hills State offensive attack capitalized on a corner kick opportunity in the 10th minute of action, scoring on their first shot attempt of the match-up as Ally Boysen sent a header into the net off a Kylea Becker assist to give the Yellow Jackets a 1-0 advantage.
- Then just minutes later Rian Barthel was able to save and deflect the first shot attempt away from Harlee Peltz; however, Cate Jesena was able to follow and place the ball into an empty left side of the net to even the match at one in the 12th minute.
- The Green & Gold were able to break the tie in the 44th minute and grab a 2-1 advantage entering the half, as Ivy Agee again showed off her scoring abilities with a strike from beyond the top of the penalty box that found a window between the outstretched arms of the keeper and the top of the woodwork.
- It didn't take long for Black Hills State to strike again in the second half, as Samantha Nunez notched her first goal as a Yellow Jacket off another set piece assist from Becker, scoring the game-winner on a header from the back post in the 51st minute.
- The Marauders continued to battle and fought back within a goal (3-2) in the 71st minute that saw Lillian Schatz score from 40-yards out off an assist from Dina Polanco, with the ball taking a high bounce into the net as Barthel lost her footing in the turf.
- Barthel recovered and kept the Marauders at bay the remainder of the match, including a spell in the 77th minute where she had to make a pair of saves. During the attack, Zoe Evans first deflected a pass into the box that then led to a Jesena shot saved and deflected by Barthel. Eventually the final shot of the flurry went off target from Addison Massey.
- The Yellow Jackets shut the door on any UMary late comeback in the 87th minute, as a long pass forward out of the corner from Becker led to a quick length of the field counter attack from Agee. She then proceeded to outrun the defense and placed the ball over Elena van Heukelom and into the top right corner of the net to make it a 4-2 match.
FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS
BLACK HILLS STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS
Ivy Agee: 7 shots, 4 shots on goal, 2 goals
Samantha Nunez: 3 shots, 1 shot on goal, 1 goal
Ally Boysen: 2 shots, 1 shot on goal, 1 goal
Kylea Becker: 2 shots, 1 shot on goal, 2 assists
Rian Barthel: 7 saves
UP NEXT
Black Hills State will play their fourth consecutive match against an NSIC opponent on Saturday, September 5, to close out the Rimrock Classic, facing off against MSU Moorhead at 12 p.m. at the Yellowjacket Soccer Field in Billings, Montana.
