BILLINGS, Mont. – Twenty-two seconds, just twenty-two clicks of the clock is all that separated Carroll College from carrying a two-goal stalemate with MSU Billings into a second overtime, but MSUB's Alycia Wright scored to give her team a 3-2 advantage and shortly thereafter the win.
 
"Overall I thought we played quite well," Carroll head coach Dave Thorvilson said. "We couldn't close it out in the end but it was a good match throughout against a very physical team."
 
The Yellowjackets tallied a goal in the 13th minute to move agead 1-0. Carroll answered in the 38th minute when Tayla Vaira tallied her first career goal on a loose ball from eight yards out.
 
Just three minutes after the half, MSUB again took a one-goal advantage with a loose ball after a free kick. Carroll again equalized, this time it was Kristyn Bohlander from 25-yards out.
 
The draw held through overtime where each team had one shot. Bohlander's shot in the 94th minute went wide. Wright's shot found its way into the goal to give MSUB the win.
 
It was the first match for the Saints in nearly two weeks and Thorvilson thinks his team was a little timid after the time off.
 
"It took us a little while to get used to the physical play," Thorvilson said. "We aren't an extremely physical and we looked tentative not playing for two weeks. Surprisingly our mistakes were usually our strengths."
 
It was the usually stout defense that gave up 15 shots on the day but the Carroll midfield stepped up and played well.
 
"We had really consistent play from Tayla and Carissa Yedica in the midfield," Thorvilson said. "Tayla scored her first college goal which was really good to see and Carissa play all 100 minutes and was strong throughout."
 
The style of play was a tough adjustment for Carroll and in the end it may have cost them the game.
 
"The style of play is a lot different than what we will see in the Cascade this season," Thorvilson said. "It is hard to adjust to and today we couldn't turn the corner."
 
The Saints now turn their attention to Wall Walla, Wash., where they'll meet Whitworth University Saturday for the first of two games, the second behind a match with Whitman College Sunday.
 
"Our team is very competitive by nature," Thorvilson said. "We have a quick turnaround but they'll be ready to go because that is in their nature There won't have to be much encouragement from me."
 
Carroll plays Whitworth at 12 p.m. Saturday and Whitman at 12 p.m. Sunday.