MISSOULA, Mont. --- The University of North Dakota soccer team remains winless in the Big Sky Conference after falling to the University of Montana by a score of 4-0 Sunday.
North Dakota falls to 2-9-1 on the season and 0-5-0 in Big Sky Conference play with the loss, while Montana improves to 7-6-2 on the season and 3-2-1 in BSC play.
Montana started out its scoring in the 28th minute, as Mackenzie Akins found an open net after a mishandle by UND's goalkeeper Kristi Hestdalen (Pierre, S.D.). India Watne was credited with the assist on the goal, putting Montana up 1-0. This score would hold into the halftime break.
Montana would come out strong in the second half, scoring three goals and holding North Dakota scoreless. The first of these goals came at the 59:45 mark from Paytyn Wheeler as she handled the rebound off Erin Craig's post shot to put the Grizzlies ahead 2-0.
In the 75th minute, Craig collected her second assist of the game by setting up Allie Simon on a cross pass, giving Montana a 3-0 advantage.
UM's final goal came at the 83:12 mark as Mary Makris chipped a twenty yard shot over Hestdalen. Britta Hjalmarsson was credited with the assist on the game-sealing goal.
Montana controlled much of the game, outshooting North Dakota 25-7. The Grizzlies also led in corner kick opportunities 11-1.
Sheri Stapf (Lakeville, Minn.) and Rhaya Ballon (Rogers, Minn.) led UND with two shots each. Hestdalen collected six saves in the losing effort.
UND will have the home advantage next weekend as they look to pick up their first Big Sky Conference win. North Dakota will host Northern Arizona Friday and round off the weekend with Southern Utah on Sunday.
