Alex Eisen/MDN Minot State senior forward Daniela Fonseca (8) gets fouled inside the box to earn a penalty kick Tuesday afternoon against Montana State Billings at Herb Parker Stadium.

When the final whistle blew, a handful of Minot State women’s soccer players dropped to the turf because of fatigue and frustration. A select few covered their faces to hide tears.

A devastating blow. Another discouraging defeat.

In a Division II women’s soccer contest between two winless teams, Montana State Billings upended Minot State with two second-half goals for a 2-0 road victory at Herb Parker Stadium.

“It came down to them just working harder,” MSU head coach Chris Clements said. “We both had opportunities, and then we kind of ran out of steam. And they obviously executed.”

MSU (0-3) had its fair share of chances in the first half.

Junior Melanie van Walstijn provided the first quality scoring chance. She dribbled her way through the middle of the pitch and uncorked a low-driven shot from the top of the 18-yard box.

Yellowjackets goalkeeper Erinn Harder stuck out her foot to make the save. The junior stopper between the posts would make three more saves to earn her third career shutout.

“I think we did (have enough opportunities), but we didn’t capitalize on that,” MSU senior forward Daniela Fonseca said. “Going forward, we have to learn when we have those opportunities that we need to take them. The game is full of chances, but we don’t know when we are going to get more.”

After a scoreless first half, Montana State Billings (1-2-2) broke the deadlock with an unassisted goal by Lexie Bloyder. Her first goal of the season forced the Beavers to push further up the field.

Solid build-up play slipped Fonseca behind the Yellowjackets’ backline with 33 minutes remaining. Senior captain Alexa Iacolucci swiped out Fronseca’s legs from under her. The referee pointed to the spot: penalty kick.

MSU’s leading goal scorer from the past two seasons, junior Sofia Lewis, stepped up, took a couple of deep breaths and pushed the shot wide right. She was 2-for-2 on penalty kicks last season.

“The game changes if it’s 1-1,” Clements said. “It’s a 50-50 game again, so that was big. But it is what it is. Sometimes the ball doesn’t fall your way, and today was one of those days.”

The Yellowjackets effectively put the game away with 13 minutes remaining, as Iacolucci swung in a corner kick and Haylee Gunter got on the end of it for her second goal of the season.

Montana State Billings outshot Minot State 15-8 (10-4 shots on target). MSU senior goalkeeper Erin Rafferty made eight saves.

Through three games and the nonconference portion of the schedule, the Beavers are still searching for their first goal of the season.

This is the first time in program history that MSU has started a season with a 0-3 overall record.

“We are just going to take this as a learning moment,” Fonseca said. “I think we are ready to move forward. We have a young team, so I think we are eager to move forward and do well. Push ourselves to do better in the conference and get better results.”

MSU opens conference play on Friday against Minnesota State Moorhead at Herb Parker Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.