Yellowjackets Rebound Nicely for 2-0 Victory at Cal Poly Pomona

Box Score

POMONA, Calif. – Two first half goals by Sam Charles and stingy defense propelled the Montana State Billings men’s soccer team to a 2-0 victory at Cal Poly Pomona Friday afternoon. With the win, the Yellowjackets improved to 3-1 on the year, while the Broncos fell to 2-1.

“This was a massive win for us,” head coach Dan McNally said. “We showed a lot of character to respond in a positive way after our tough loss at Cal State-LA, Wednesday. This trip to California has been very productive. I think we played very well in both games versus California Collegiate Athletic Association teams.”

Charles scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 19th minute as he received a pass from Chris Andre out front and bounced it over Thomas Ryan for the game winner. Just about 11 minutes later, Charles scored his second goal of the game and third of the week as he got tied up at the top, but got free and fired a shot past Ryan for the score. Tyler Moriarty assisted on the goal giving MSUB a 2-0 lead.

For the half, the Broncos outshot the Yellowjackets 11-3, but two of the three MSUB shots found the back of the net. CPP had four, first half corner kicks to none for the Yellowjackets. MSUB goalkeeper, Matt Mitchell, made five first half saves.

“Today Matt Mitchell in goal, along with Zach Yeager, Tom Milroy, Kyle Moriarty and Ross Carmichael, were outstanding defensively,” McNally added. “It was important that we didn’t concede a goal. That was the foundation of our success today.”

The teams played a scoreless second half as CPP had 15 shots to five for MSUB in the second stanza. Mitchell made six saves in the second half for a game-high 11. His 11 saves was a career-best for Mitchell in a game. His previous best was seven at the University of Mary, Oct. 12, 2008.

Charles led the way for MSUB with four shots and two on goal with the two scores. Andre added his team-best fourth assist of the season, while Moriarty tallied his first.

For the Broncos, Tyler Reinhart led the way with a game-high seven shots and five on goal. Miguel Abascal added six shots and two on goal. CPP used two goalkeepers in the game as Ryan started and allowed both goals and tallied one save. Brad Jones played the second half.

This was the first win for MSUB men’s soccer versus a CCAA school since a 3-1 win at Cal State Monterey Bay, Sept. 30, 2001. Cal Poly Pomona entered the week ranked seventh in the region according to the latest NSCAA/adidas West Region Division II poll.

MSUB returns home to begin a four-game home stand, next Thursday at 5 p.m., versus Colorado State-Pueblo at Yellowjacket Field.

This season ALL MSUB home men’s and women’s soccer games will be FREE on the internet with live video and audio as the voice of the Yellowjackets, Ken Adelblue, will have the call.