89th-Minute Goal Saves Yellowjackets, 1-0

Box Score

BILLINGS, Mont. – Sam Charles received the ball off a cross in front of the net in the 89th minute for a score lifting Montana State Billings to a 1-0, hard-fought victory over Great Falls Sunday afternoon at the MSUB Soccer Field.  With the victory, MSUB improves to 4-2 on the year, while Great Falls falls to 4-5 on the season.

“It was a hard-fought victory,” head coach Dan McNally said.  “I am very pleased with the way we continued to play hard and with passion for 90 minutes.”

Both teams came out with great intensity.  The Yellowjackets had a number of good chances in the first half as they out-shot the Argonauts 7-4 and 5-1 in shots on goal.  UGF freshman goalkeeper, Zach Johnson, made five key saves in the first half to keep the score 0-0.  Charles had two good looks in the half, but was unable to capitalize. 

Both teams played just as hard in the second half as both teams established more offense than in the first.  MSUB had five shots in the second half and the Argos had four. 

Right after a free kick by the Argos just outside the 18-yard box, Yellowjacket goalkeeper, Matt Mitchell, cleared the ball up the field and found Andre who dished it off to Charles in front of the net for the score and the game winner at the 88:49 mark.    

It was Charles’ seventh goal of the season and fourth of the week as he had a hat trick against the University of Mary this past Monday.  Andre leads the team with three assists this season.

For the game, Charles led the way for MSUB with five shots and three on goal.  Garion Holian had three shots, Justin Hoskins had two shots on goal and Andre had one shot on goal and the assist. 

“We are 4-2 with our only losses coming to top 10 teams,” McNally added.  “All of our wins have been tough and through our hard work, we have put ourselves in a position to have a good season.”

The Yellowjackets open the 2008 Great Northwest Athletic Conference slate Saturday at 5 p.m. against Northwest Nazarene at the MSUB Soccer Field.  The Crusaders are in their first year of men’s soccer at NNU.