Yellowjackets Drop another 3-2 Decision (9/3/05)

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The Montana State-Billings men’s soccer suffered its second 3-2 loss in as many days Saturday, falling to Colorado-Colorado Springs at the Westminster College tournament.  The loss dropped the Yellowjackets to 0-4-0 on the season while UC-Colorado Springs improved to 1-1-0.

The Yellowjackets wrap up play at the tournament on Sunday when they face host Westminster College at 2:00 p.m.  Westminster defeated UC-Colorado Springs, 2-1, on Friday and faced Cal State-Monterey Bay in Saturday’s late game.  CSU-Monterey Bay downed the Jackets 3-2 in double overtime on Friday.

Just as they did on Friday, the Yellowjackets jumped to an early 1-0 lead on the foot of Dustin Kono (Sr., Aberdeen, SD).  Kono, assisted by Greg McKeever (So, Kirkland, WA), found the net for his third goal of the weekend in just the seventh minute.  MSU Billings took a 2-0 lead into halftime after Patrick Boltz (Kaneohe, HI) scored in the 24th minute.  The senior anchor of the Jackets’ defense was in the box for McKeever’s corner kick, scoring his first goal of the year.

The Yellowjackets couldn’t hold on in the second half.  The Mountain Lions scored three unanswered goals, including the game winner in the 87th minute.  Matt Atkins opened the Lions’ scoring in the 58th minute.  Jeff Moore tied the game in the 60th minute, and Duncan Brown netted the game winner with less than three minutes left in regulation.

“We’re playing well,” said Yellowjacket head coach Dan McNally.  “I’m very pleased with the production of Dustin Kono.  He looks dangerous every time he gets the ball.  We’re doing all the right things; we’re just not deep off the bench.  The last 20-25 minutes of the game we’re struggling.  I feel sorry for the players today.  This is the second game in a row we’ve lost 3-2.  The players are playing with 100 percent commitment and effort.  Right now we don’t seem to be getting any breaks.  Hopefully as the season continues, if we continue to do the right things, we’ll get the results our play deserves.”

The Mountain Lions out-shot the Yellowjackets 16-5 overall and held a 10-4 shots on goal advantage.  Yellowjacket goalkeeper Jess Feldtman (Sr., Lander, WY) made eight saves.