Griz Notebook: Lady Griz kick in a win and a loss over the weekend

UM soccer opens Big Sky play 1-1

The University of Montana women’s soccer team opened Big Sky Conference play over the weekend, dropping a match at Weber State and picking up a home win against Idaho State on Sunday.

Thursday’s 1-0 loss to the Wildcats snapped a two-game win streak for the Grizzlies, 4-8-1 overall and 1-1-0 in league play.
The lone goal of the match, scored in the 19th minute by Weber State’s Alyssa Foutz, proved to be the difference for the Wildcats. Conference leader Weber State (2-0-0, 5-6-2) also outshot the Grizzlies 26-6. 

“The girls played well and there are a lot of things improving for us though,” Montana coach Neil Sedgwick said. “It’s a good start for us and we had a good game against Idaho State on Sunday.”

The Grizzlies rebounded from the loss with a 2-0 shutout of the Bengals at the South Campus Stadium Sunday.
Freshman Brandee Marone and senior Sara Aspinwall each scored goals in the first half and the Montana defense limited the Bengals to four shots on goal to hold on for the win.

“The first half was key for us,” Sedgwick said. “We were able to set the tone and score some goals. Our back four did a great job for us.”
The win moved Montana into a tie with Sacramento State for fourth place in the Big Sky.
The shutout was keeper Grace Harris’ third of the season.

It also tied her with former Grizzly Sara Braseth (2001-2005) for second on the Montana career shutouts list with 13.

After scoring the only goals for the Grizzlies through the first several games, Kaitlyn Heinsohn’s four scores lead the team by only one. Marone’s goal against the Bengals was her third of the season. Through 13 games, Montana has managed 12 goals, while opponents have scored 18. The Grizzlies have pulled off a .479 shots on goal percentage, though, while opponents are at .382. Montana will be on the road for two Big Sky matches next weekend at Portland State on Friday and at Sacramento State Sunday.

The Vikings are in a tie with Northern Arizona for second place in the league after playing to a 0-0 draw against the Lumberjacks and beating Northern Colorado 2-1 over the weekend. The Hornets are coming off a 2-0 loss at Northern Arizona and a 4-0 shutout of the Bears.

Sac State maintains dominance of Grizzlies

The Montana volleyball team continued its struggles against Sacramento State, losing its 18th straight match against the Hornets Friday at Sacramento State.
The Grizzlies traded wins with the Hornets, losing 21-25, 26-24, 19-25, 25-22 and 13-15.

In the deciding game, Montana held a 13-12 advantage when Amy Roberts and Brittany Quick blocked the Hornets’ Desiree Hoyum. Hoyum answered with a tying kill and back-to-back Sacramento State blocks sealed the win.

This loss was different from previous years. Sacramento State has only four players with two or more years of college experience.
The Hornets lost Big Sky MVP Lindsay Haupt, first team All-Big Sky outside hitter Missie Stidham and three other starters to graduation, but the team’s biggest hurdle to overcome was coach Debby Colberg’s retirement last season.

Colberg, who coached Sacramento State for 32 years and compiled a 828-292 record with 30 winning seasons, led the Hornets to a 29-8 record last year, including a NCAA Tournament first-round win against Minnesota.

This season, Sacramento State opened the season slowly but is third in the Big Sky with the win, improving to 4-2 and 6-15 overall. The Hornets went on a 12-game slide after going 2-2 in their first four matches. They have also won four straight in conference play.

The Grizzlies (3-3, 7-9) dropped into a tie with Weber State for sixth place in the Big Sky.

The Hornets scooped up 20 more digs than Montana in Friday’s match and posted a .290 hitting percentage, compared to Montana’s .213.

Roberts led the Grizzlies with 17 kills, Jaimie Thibeault and Whitney Hobbs added 12 kills apiece and setter Taryn Wright set 46 assists. Wright also added eight kills – one shy from tying her career-high – and seven digs in the losing effort.

Montana hosts two home matches this weekend, facing Idaho State Friday and Weber State Saturday.

charles.pulliam@umontana.edu