Thompson scores Sunday, Griz start fast at NDSU
FARGO, N.D. — The Montana soccer team scored, scored, then scored again, building a 3-0 lead before Sunday’s match was 12 minutes old, and beat North Dakota State 3-1 in Dacotah Field.
Montana (2-0-0) got goals from Skyleigh Thompson in the second minute, Riley Carolan in the 11th and Eliza Bentler in the 12th.
It was the first time since 1997 that Montana built a 3-0 lead in the opening 12 minutes, the third time in program history the first time it’s been done on the road.
“The energy for this group is different than ones I’ve had before,” sixth-year coach Chris Citowicki said. “They are very professional and relaxed and composed before they go into it. They don’t need a lot of hype to get fired up. They know they are good and know how to play well.”
Montana entered its season-opening road trip with one win in seven matches all-time at North Dakota and North Dakota State. The Grizzlies, who shut out North Dakota 1-0 on Thursday, are 2-0-0 in a non-Covid season for the first time since 2016.
Montana attacked from the start on Sunday, with Thompson’s early goal coming moments after a cross to Delaney Lou Schoor in front of the net was inches away from connecting.
The junior out of Flathead High, with assists from Schorr and Molly Quarry, celebrated her 21st birthday by netting her sixth career goal 100 seconds into the match.
Carolan, making her first collegiate start, scored her first collegiate goal at 10:03 when she knocked in a loose ball in front of goal off a corner kick.
Bentler made it 3-0 just 72 seconds later when she was played up the left sideline by Maddie Ditta. Bentler cut inside and held the ball long enough to find space to put a shot off the crossbar for career goal No. 3.
Montana went 18 players deep, with Reeve Borseth playing 81 minutes on the back line, Kathleen Aitchison 63 in the midfield.
Charley Boone played all 90 minutes, Ashlyn Dvorak made one save in goal. Bentler took five shots; Thompson four in 61 minutes of action..
“The message before was that this is probably going to be the most physical team we’re going to come up against this year,” Citowicki said. “They’ll do whatever they have to do to take the ball from you. We’re going to have to be smart in how fast we move it and the opportunities we create. I think we did that early.”
After scoring three goals on its first four shots, Montana took just two over the final 33 minutes of the first half. North Dakota State pulled within 3-1 with a goal in the final minute of the first half, directly off a free kick from the left side that curled inside the far post.
Montana outshot North Dakota State 9-4 in the scoreless second half. The Grizzlies outshot North Dakota State 15-6 overall and held a 32-13 shot advantage on the trip, putting 16 of their 32 shots on goal.
“Good way to start the season, especially with the two different styles we played against,” Citowicki said. “Both were very good previews of what’s coming in Big Sky play. Very happy with it.”
Montana will play its home opener at 2 p.m. on Thursday against MSU Billings, which tied Rocky Mountain 3-3 on Saturday in an exhibition match. The Grizzlies will host Ohio State (1-1-0) next Sunday at 6 p.m. at South Campus Stadium.