Charles Earns Second Straight GNAC POW Honors

BILLINGS, Mont. – Junior forward Sam Charles continues to rack up the conference hardware this season as he was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week for the second week in a row, the conference office announced Monday. 

Charles, who leads the team with seven goals this season, scored four goals this past week as the Montana State Billings men’s soccer team went 2-1.  Charles tallied his third career hat trick in the GNAC against Mary last Monday, tying the conference record for hat tricks in a career.  In addition, it was the 20th three goal game or more in conference history.  The first goal Charles scored against Mary was just 32 second into the match marking the second quickest goal in school history.

On Sunday, Charles scored the game winner at the 88:49 mark in a hard fought 1-0 victory over Great Falls.  It was his third game winner this season and 10th in the two years MSUB has been in the GNAC.

Charles earned co-Player of the Week honors last week as he broke the school record for goals in a career and points in a career with a goal in each of the first three games.  Charles helped lead the Yellowjackets to a 2-1 start to begin the season, including a 3-0 victory over then-No. 24 Mesa State in the home opener, Sept. 5.  MSUB currently stands at 4-2.

The Yellowjackets open conference play this week as they battle first year conference Northwest Nazarene Saturday at 5 p.m. at the MSUB Soccer Field.  NNU will be the second first year program the Jackets face this season.  MSUB opened the season with a 4-3 double overtime victory over first year program Dixie State in Salt Lake City, Aug. 29.