Yellowjackets Win Hard-Fought, Key GNAC Matchup with Seattle Pacific, 1-0

Box Score

BILLINGS, Mont. – A goal by Montana State Billings’ Jurell Linford in the 22nd minute was all the scoring in a crucial men’s soccer win for the Yellowjackets over visiting Seattle Pacific Saturday afternoon at the College of Technology Field.  With the victory, the Yellowjackets (7-4, 2-1 GNAC) have won two-straight conference games and now are back in at least a tie for first place in the league.  Seattle Pacific fell to 3-4-3 on the year and 2-1 in conference play as well.

“Today was a very important win,” head coach Dan McNally said.  “The guys played very well in the first half and created a number of opportunities. The first half performance was probably as good as we have played all year.  The second half, I give a lot of credit to SPU.  They really played some good soccer and it was a very tight, close second half.  We got the goal which was good enough to win the game.”

The game opened as both teams seemed a bit tense as they were feeling each other out in the early going.  Then the Jackets began to take advantage offensively and created some opportunities.  The jackets had a 4-0 lead in corner kicks for the half.  MSUB held a 7-3 lead in shots in the opening half and a 3-0 lead in shots on goal. 

At the 21:24 mark, Linford fired a rebounded ball that went off goalkeeper, Ben Lovelace’s hands for the score.  It was Linford’s first goal of the season and fourth of his career. 

The second half saw Seattle Pacific much more aggressive which led to out-shooting the Jackets 7-5 for the half.  The Falcons had a number of good chances, but the Yellowjacket defense was up to the challenge and made a number of crucial stops.  The SPU attack had a number of balls go high and wide of the goal in the half.  Yellowjacket goalkeeper, Matt Mitchell, had on save on the day, while Lovelace had four.

The Jackets had a couple of opportunities to increase their lead, but the Falcons had two team saves, including in the last two minutes of the game as Lovelace came out to about midfield and had the ball intercepted by Scott Dixon who lifted a ball to an open net.  However, a retreating defender for SPU came out of nowhere and made a great save to keep the score 1-0.  When Dixon kicked the ball, there were no maroon shirts anywhere near the goal. 

For the game, MSUB out-shot SPU 12-10 including 7-1 in shots on goal.  Chris Andre led the Jackets with four shots and one on goal.  Sam Charles had three shots and one on goal as well.  The Jackets held a 7-3 lead in corner kicks.

MSUB now beings a four game road trip and six of its final seven games are away from home.  The Jackets open the road trip Friday with a neutral site game against Jamestown at the University of Mary.  Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. central time.  MSUB closes the weekend at Mary on Sunday at 11 a.m. in an important regional game.  MSUB defeated both Jamestown and Mary earlier this season by a combined score of 11-1. 

“It is important now to work hard in practice and are ready to play the two games next week,” McNally added.