Yellowjackets Fall in Regular Season Finale, 4-2

Box Score

LACEY, Wash. – The Saint Martin’s men’s soccer team posted a 4-2 victory over visiting Montana State Billings Saturday afternoon in both teams’ regular season finales.  With the loss, the Yellowjackets fall to 10-8 overall and finish Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at 3-5.  SMU improves to 6-11-1 and 3-4-1 in conference play.

“This year we have battled against adversity from the first day of preseason to the final game of the season,” head coach Dan McNally said.  “The fact that we have survived all the adversity with a winning record is a credit to the players.  I think good programs have consistent winning seasons and we are trying to establish that trend with MSUB men’s soccer.  My seniors this season have been fantastic and they all have helped build this program.”

The Yellowjackets and the Saints showed up at 12 p.m. for a 1 p.m. start and there were no officials as the game was delayed until 2 p.m. until officials could be found.  This was the second time this season that the Yellowjackets arrived at a game and there were no officials.  It also happened at Fort Lewis earlier this season.

SMU opened the scoring first as Austin Kelley scored on a cross from about 17-yards out from Vlad Voin in the 21st minute for a 1-0 lead.  SMU scored its second goal with just 18 seconds left in the first half on a penalty kick as Ruben Orozco scored the first of his three goals on the day.

The Saints held a 12-3 lead in shots in the opening half and a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks.  SMU added its third goal and second by Orozco with assists from Kelley and Mark Clark from 17-yards out into the lower corner in the 55th minute.

Sam Charles got the Jackets on the board in the 64th minute on a penalty kick, his fourth of the season and it was his league-leading 19th goal of the year, tying his own school record set last season.  In addition, it put him over the century mark for career points as well.

Orozco completed the hat trick in the 75th minute with a shot from the top of box to the left side on an assist from Tucker Maxwell.  The ‘Jackets wouldn’t go quietly, though, as Justin Hoskins scored the second goal with an assist from Scott Dixon who tallied his team-leading seventh assist of the season.

For the game, MSUB was led by Charles with two shots on goal and the goal on the PK.  Orozco led the Saints with three goals on six shots.  SMU held a 24-7 lead in shots and a 15-7 lead in shots on goal.