Skylights look to build momentum on the road

The Montana State University-Northern women got a much-needed win last Saturday afternoon art Montana Tech. And while Northern head coach Chris Mouat is hoping that win will build some momentum as the Skylights head to towards the postseason, it won't be easy.

Northern (1-9, 8-16) plays at No. 7 Carroll College (7-3, 19-15) tonight and at No. 15 Providence (8-2, 21-4) Saturday afternoon.

"We are up against two great teams on Thursday and Saturday," Mouat said. "Both are highly ranked and combined have five All-Americans. They have some of the best players in the country, are well-coached, and have had great seasons."

Northern is also a combined 0-4 against its two rivals this season. The Skylights lost in Helena back in December and to Carroll again last month in Havre. Now, MSU-N returns to Helena for a third showdown with the Fighting Saints, who are once again led by former Havre Blue Pony Dani Wagner, who averages more than 15 points per game in her final season at Carroll.

"Carroll has a ton of weapons, and they can hurt you at every position," Mouat said. "With three All-Americans in their lineup, they are one of the most talented teams in the country. They defend really well in both man and zone, and they have caused us plenty of problems scoring. We have had shots against them, but we have not finished. Their starting five is as good as anyone in the nation, and they bring in great players off of the bench. We need to do a good job of handling their pressure and finding ways to score."

Things won't get any easier when the Skylights visit the Argos Saturday. Northern has played UP twice already this season, with both games coming in Havre. But, no matter the location, Mouat knows, playing UP is always a tough task.

"Providence has two of the best players in the country in Parker Esary and Emilee Maldonado," Mouat said. "Like Carroll, they have plenty of great players around them and they are having an outstanding season. Their 11-game winning streak was recently snapped (one of the longest winning streaks in the country) and they will be hungry. We need to contain Parker and Emilee as much as possible, but cannot fall asleep on their other scorers. Like Carroll, they will keep pressure on us all night long."

Northern will counter the Saints and Argos with the senior duo of Peyton Kehr and Sydney Hovde, but MSU-N is also seeing plenty of other players start to step up now that the Skylights are at least close to full strength. And after last Saturday's win at Montana Tech, Mouat says his team is hungry for more.

"Our kids are coming off of a come-from-behind win at Tech and they are working really hard," he said. "We will have to be ready, because these two teams have high-octane scorers and they defend well. We will have to be as good as we have all year to be successful. I like our progress, but know that we will have to hit another gear to compete with Providence and Carroll in their own gyms."

The Skylights play at Carroll tonight at 5 in Helena. Northern visits Providence Saturday at 2 p.m. in Great Falls.