Yellowjackets Look to Build Momentum at Mary (Sept. 16, 2004)

BILLINGS, MT – With three games on the horizon against regionally ranked teams, the Montana State-Billings men’s soccer team will try to even its record and build some momentum on Saturday when it plays at University of Mary.  The Yellowjackets are 3-4-0 but have lost three of their last four matches.

MSU Billings was down 5-0 by halftime at Division I Gonzaga last Saturday, but played even with the Bulldogs in the second half in a 5-1 loss.  Jesse Spann (Jr., Rock Springs, WY) scored his second goal of the season with 14 seconds remaining to avoid the shutout. 

Kyle Bales (Sr., MF, Cody, WY) played the entire second half in goal for the Yellowjackets at Gonzaga after starter Jess Feldtman (Jr., GK, Lander, WY) left the game with an injury.  Bales will likely be in goal for the Yellowjackets against Mary as well.

Offensively, the Yellowjackets have been led by senior Thomas Pertuit (MF, Billings, MT), who has six goals and two assists.  Brian Palmer (Sr., F, Laramie, WY) has scored three goals with an assist, but also may miss the trip to Mary with an injury.

The Marauders jumped to a 3-0-0 record to start the season, but they have also lost three of their last four, dropping to 4-3-0.  Mary has outscored its opponents 12-9, although its first three games were against Canadian colleges.  Last weekend the Marauders defeated Sioux Falls before losing to Hamline College.  No individual stats are available for the Marauders.

Following Saturday’s trip to Bismarck, the Yellowjackets travel to Washington to face three of the top five ranked teams in the Far West Region within a period four days.  MSU Billings plays at No. 1 Seattle on September 25, at No. 5 Western Washington on September 27, and at No. 3 Seattle Pacific on September 28.  The Jackets return home the first weekend of October to host Westminster and Colorado School of Mines.