Yellowjacket Blog - Justin Hoskins, Men's Soccer

Nov. 12, 2007
From my first blog, I have said “Do not underestimate us here at MSUB.”  After the 2007 season, I have confidence in saying that we have earned respect both around the GNAC conference and NCAA DII far west region.  My name is Justin Hoskins, and for those who have kept up with this blog, it will be my last of the season.

 On October 27, 2007, we played our last regular season game.  We ended the season with a record of 13-4-1, a much improved record from the previous year.  We finished 5-2-1 (2nd place) in the GNAC.  The GNAC is a very well considered soccer conference winning many NCAA DII titles in the last 25 years.   After this last regular season game, we waited in hopes of being selected in the top four teams in the NCAA Division II far west region, and make the first ever appearance in program history.  Despite these hopes to be selected, we ended up being ranked 5th in the region and left out of the 2007 NCAA DII tournament field.

Regardless of this bad news and the unfortunate way to end the 2007 season, I am hopeful for the future of MSU-Billings Men’s soccer.  One point of good news is that next year, we are having a new facility built out at the COT.  Starting this week, construction for this new facility is taking place.  From the plans, it will be the best soccer facility in the state, and comparable to the top facilities in the region.  This project will consist of a new artificial turf field, lights, and additional features--- which will also be a huge blessing for everyone next season.  (I just want to give quick thanks to everyone who has spent time and money on this project; I can say how appreciative both teams are.  THANK YOU very much!!!) 

In summary, I believe our team had a great season.  During preseason each year, we set team goals for the season.  This year we met every goal that we set including goals scored, goals against, road wins, conference games (etc), and one of the most important goals---the first winning season in program history.  I believe every member of the team was a vital part to our successful year, and both Coach McNally and Coach Spinelli were a huge guidance throughout every step.  I want to thank every member of our team for this season’s success! 

Five members of our team were seniors this year and will be leaving our program (Greg McKeever, Josh Hernandez, Matt D’Hont, Colby Vossler, and Chris Cornish).  Each of these seniors played a role in our success this season, and played significant roles in changing the history of MSUB Men’s soccer.  Thanks to the 5 of you and good luck to you as you wind up your degrees and start your careers. 

Even though we lose 5 important seniors, we will be returning a very strong and experienced squad next year.  I think I can speak for everyone and say that we are already training in an effort to make our first ever NCAA tournament appearance next year.

Finally---- in trying to answer the question most posed by players, fans or others--- what happened with the tournament selection---- how did you guys not get into the tournament?  The only answer I can give is I have no idea.  But I will tell you one thing, we will all remember this feeling, and will do everything in our power to make sure to we get in next season.  Like I have said all season, don’t underestimate us here at MSU Billings!!!

Thanks to everyone for your support this year.  It was awesome the way MSUB students and the community supported us this year.  Thank you MSUB baseball, softball, women’s soccer, volleyball, basketball, track, X-country, golf, etc. teams for making the extra effort to come out and support us.  We noticed and hope we will be able to reciprocate.  We hope to see everyone again this spring and next fall at the new facility!!!

Sept. 18, 2007
Our MSU-B Men’s Soccer team is 7 games into the season and our winning streak continues.  I am here again, Justin Hoskins (for everyone who has not read this before), with yet another update on our season.  Our current record is 7-0-0.  In no way is this BLOG supposed to come off as cocky or arrogant because quite frankly games can go any way on any given day.  But so far this season, we have done enough in each game to put the W on the board.

This past week, we played two conference games against Seattle University and St. Martins.  In what some have called our biggest test as a soccer program, we played Seattle University last Friday at the COT.  In the first half, we found both of our teams fairly evenly matched.  But at the end of the first half, Jeremy DeHerrera passed Jared Weisen a through ball for what we thought was the first goal of the game.  After our celebration we found that that the goal was called back for off sides.  As a result, we headed to our respective benches 0-0 to prepare for the second half.

The second half started and the level of play once again rose.  I think for most who observed this game, it was probably one of the most physical/competitive games our team as played.  It was not until somewhere around the 70 minute where Sam Charles slipped a shot by the Seattle University back-line.  And, as a nice result, the goal was not called back.  After this goal, Seattle U brought the kitchen sink to test our defense.  I think I speak for anyone in our back-line, the last 10 minutes of the game was the longest 10 minutes of our lives.  I personally believe it was the best game I have seen our back four (Tom Milroy, Greg McKeever, Josh Hernandez, myself) and Sander Tollefson (Goalkeeper) play as a defensive unit.  But despite their last surge, we held off to beat nationally ranked Seattle University 1-0.

Although this was a great win for our season and the program, we all realized it was only one game to the success of our entire season.  With this is mind, we hosted another conference game against St. Martins on Sunday afternoon.  We prepared for this game like all games this season.  Although I can not speak of most things that happen in our locker room, I guess I must credit some of our success to the unique play-list that our own James Henry brings to the games, and the even more unique dancing of Jose Araya (can not explain it, you just have to be there, haha).  With two first half goals from Sam Charles, we beat St. Martins 2-0 to give us our seventh win of the season.

Currently, our team just arrived in Seattle last night.  We are here to play Seattle Pacific, Western Washington, and Seattle University.  Yes, for our followers, this trip will probably be the most difficult span of games in our schedule, and probably the most important in the overall success of our season.  But, like we take our season, we are only looking one game ahead.  Tonight we play Seattle Pacific.  We are very confident in our play, and we hope to bring our top level of play to the field. 

Therefore, at this point, we must go our separate ways again!  For all of you who came out to support us this past week, we are extremely grateful for your support and hope to see you again this next weekend (when we play Colorado Christian).  It was again the biggest crowd I recall seeing at a home game (a special thanks to all our athletic teams who came out to support us---you were awesome).  THANKS!!!!  For everyone who still has not had a chance to watch us, we would love to see you out there!

As an additional feature to my blog---I have been trying to answer questions posed by players, fans or others.  This question comes from the many who has asked recently, why aren’t you guys ranked (for those who don’t know we are not ranked in the coaches’ poll).  The only answer I can give these people is---- who cares?  It is never a bad thing going in under the radar (being the underdog), and like I said in my first blog---- don’t underestimate us here at MSU-Billings…!!!

(Also, for anyone who sees Scott Dixon out of his bed for the next couple of weeks, please do everyone a favor and tell him to get back to his room!!!  No one else needs Mono. Hopefully we will see you back in a couple weeks Skunky!)

Sept. 3, 2007
Almost one month down and three games into the season, and our team could not hope for a better start.  Justin Hoskins reporting once again on MSUB Men’s Soccer (to the countless people who I am sure are reading this).

Beginning the week, we returned from a successful trip to Colorado and a full-week of training ahead of us.  With this full week of practice, I think everyone had only one thing in mind, our home debut against the University of Great Falls.  Since the University of Great Falls is a first year program, no one had a clue what to expect.  Therefore, we just had to make sure that our team was prepared as well as possible.

Before I knew it Saturday morning was upon us.  All the players arrived at our field, and headed to our locker room (or what some may also call a classroom at the COT).  Despite the bad taste of pre-game music from our own Chris Cornish, everyone prepared in similar fashion for the first ever in-state men’s collegiate soccer game.  Around 1 p.m. both teams took the field for the kick-off.  Not long from the opening whistle, Chris Andre was again the man to open the game up with his second goal of the season.  Despite what would look like a 1-0 end to the first-half, defender, Greg McKeever blasted a free kick from almost 25 yards out for his first goal of the season (showing some of our offensive players how to actually finish when close to goal) to end the half.

Even though our team dominated the second half (with both shots and possession), the University of Great Falls did not allow a goal until the 81st minute.  Brian Huskey, falling like a bag of rocks in the box, created another penalty kick opportunity for Sam Charles.  Despite his fourth goal of the season, the team has inquired, “are PK’s the only goals Charles will put in?” (haha, sorry to be the bearer of bad news Sammy).  Finishing the second half, Matt D’Hont had a beautiful diving header for his first goal of the season assisted by yet another defender Josh Hernandez.  At the end of the day, we finished 4-0 over the University of Great Falls putting us at 3-0 on the young season. 

While allowing one shot all game, our team is playing outstanding defense.  The defense continues to gel and get better.  Our offensive attack is getting better every day, and overall our team is playing very well.  With two tough games this next weekend, we hope we can take the momentum from these three games and continue winning. 

For all of you who came out to support us this weekend, we are grateful for your support and hope to see you again this next weekend.  It was the biggest crowd I recall seeing for a home game.  THANKS!!!!   If you did not have a chance to come out, I hope to see you this next weekend to support MSUB soccer.  We play University of Mary, an NCAA Division II team from Bismarck, ND at 1 p.m., Saturday at COT.  We then play GNAC conference foe Western Washington University, Monday afternoon at COT.  Check the paper or website for game time as the start time has changed.

As a new feature to my blog---I will try to answer questions posed by players, fans or others.  This week’s question comes from freshman Scott Dixon, aka Skunky.  Scott asks why can no one help put him on the board for an assist now and then?  Well, Scott, I am not sure, but with a name like “Skunky” maybe there is a connection.  In any event, we’ll talk to the lads and see if we can’t get you on the board.  Talk soon….

Aug. 27, 2007
Well, Justin Hoskins here again with another update on MSUB men’s soccer.  This past week we headed down to Colorado for our first test of the season.  Despite what seemed like a constant struggle to find a comfortable position on the bus, the many already “over-watched” DVDs, constant card games and/or competitions, and what some of us may call too much “male” bonding (for those who have hadthe  “pleasure” of experiencing a guy-trip) we were actually headed to Lakewood, Colorado, to play Colorado Christian University in our first regular season game.   

We opened the season with a 2-0 shutout win over Colorado Christian University.  Billings Senior High alum Chris Andre (one of three Billings Senior boys on the team) scored his first collegiate goal (as well as our team’s first goal of the season) in the first half of his debut collegiate game.  Sam Charles sealed the game with his first goal of the season late in the second half.   We could not have planned to start the season any better way.

After the game, we returned to the bus and headed to Grand Junction, Colorado, for our second game against Mesa State College.  For two days we were allowed to practice on the brand new artificial turf field (by the way I think I speak for the team, we cannot wait to get our new facility) at Mesa State.  After practicing at this top facility, we met Mesa State Sunday morning.  For most of the first half the game was fairly evenly matched.  It was not until the second half when Jeremy DeHerrera slipped a through ball to Sam Charles to give our team a 1-0 lead.  Not long after, Kyle Moriatry (the college debut for the man of many words) set up a penalty kick for Sam Charles.  From the mark, Sam slotted the ball into the upper 90 (sorry Sammy, I had to let everyone know that you were slightly off the mark).  At the final whistle, we had another 2-0 shutout win.

After thinking about our first road trip, we could not have hoped for a better outcome.  The defense held the competition to very few chances, the midfield played hard and controlled the pace of the game, and the forwards put goals in to give us our wins.  Basically, the entire team put everything together to put up the W’s. 

This Saturday, we have our first home game of the season against the University of Great Falls.  I know the team is very excited to be back in Billings and plan on putting another W on the board.  If you are reading this, I hope you will come out this Saturday and support MSUB soccer!!  It means a lot to our team to have the support of our school and community.  Talk soon.

Aug. 20, 2007
The aching muscles, burning lungs, 100 degrees, and two-a-day practices can only mean that preseason is once again upon us. 

My name is Justin Hoskins.  I am a junior from Billings, Montana, and co- captain of the MSU Billings men’s soccer team.  About two weeks ago, we started our official preseason conditioning.  Preseason is always grueling.  From the famous “Cooper Test” (2 miles in 12 min), beep-test, and other various conditioning techniques, the team has finally finished preseason preparations.  Despite what some may consider a long preseason (but yet very short) and countless hours spent in the ice bath, we are now looking ahead to the start of the regular season.

Last season was not up to our expectations----we finished 5-11-2.  Even though our expectations were not met, I believe that last season, as well as our off-season training, has allowed our team and soccer program to take the proper steps to achieve our first winning season in school history.  We did not lose any starting players from last year’s team, and in addition have brought five new players (from Billings to England) in to help our efforts.  Despite the major differences in player backgrounds, our team chemistry could not be better.  From players to coaches, everyone is buzzing (please do not assume the association to our mascot the Yellowjackets) with high expectations for the upcoming season. 

In addition to the new season, we are also joining a new conference.  As a new member to the GNAC, Great Northwest Athletic Conference, we will be competing against some of the best soccer teams in the nation.  Seattle U and Seattle Pacific, two members of the GNAC, are perennial favorites in NCAA Division II.  As members of the GNAC, we will play both of these teams twice—home and away.  In addition, we will also play the strong GNAC members-- Western Washington U and St. Martin’s each twice.  Without question, our conference schedule will be incredibly challenging.

I believe we are headed in the right direction as we begin our new season.  This past weekend we beat the alumni 3-0 in our 1st exhibition game.  With only two more days of preseason practice ahead of us, we are anxiously awaiting (which sometimes causes loss of sleep) our first game against Colorado Christian on the road in Lakewood, Colorado.  

From all the players, coaches, and our miracle-workers (the trainers), everyone has put in countless off-season hours to make MSUB men’s soccer history by hopefully claiming our first winning season.  While the task is challenging, especially joining the prestigious GNAC, don’t underestimate us here at MSU-Billings. 

I hope if you are reading this blog, you will come out this fall and support MSUB soccer!!!!   Join us.  It’s a kick (ok, enough puns)!!!!