Charles’ Hat Trick Propels Yellowjackets to 3-1 Victory Over Mary

Box Score

BILLINGS, Mont. – A hat trick by Montana State Billings junior forward, Sam Charles, propelled the Yellowjackets to a 3-1 victory over the University of Mary Monday afternoon at the MSUB Soccer Field.  With the victory, the Jackets improve to 3-1 on the year, while Mary falls to 0-5.  The victory over Mary was the Yellowjackets’ 12th consecutive home victory dating back to 2006.

“I’m very happy with our regional win,” head coach Dan McNally said.  “We came out very aggressive and got out to the early lead.” 

The Yellowjackets took the opening kickoff and moved right down the field as Jarred Weisen sent a nice pass to Charles for a score just 32 seconds into the match.  It was the second quickest goal in MSUB history.  Earlier today, Charles was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference co-Player of the Week for his two goals against ranked opponents last week. 

Not more than five minutes later, Charles found the back of the net again as Chris Andre served a pass to Charles for his second score of the game and the fifth of the season.

Mary got on the board in the 22nd minute as Ryan Mahylis scored the first goal of the season for the Marauders, ending a drought of 406:32 dating back to the 2007 season finale.

The Yellowjackets responded as Charles added the hat trick in the 31st minute, taking the ball and driving the majority of the length of the field for the score on Billings native Derek Luptak. 

“Sam’s (Charles) third goal was the best individual goal I’ve seen out here in a long time,” McNally said.  “We did enough in the first 45 minutes to win, but we still have work to do and we will get better.”

MSUB out-shot Mary 13-7 for the game.  Charles had seven shots, three goals and four shots on goal.  Chris Andre and Garion Holian each had two shots for the Jackets.  MSUB also had a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks and in goal, Matt Mitchell had one goal allowed and four saves.

“Mary came out in the second half and played with a lot of pride,” McNally added.