Yellowjackets Overcome Cold, Wind and Snow for 3-2 Overtime Victory at Mary

Box Score

BISMARCK, ND – On a brutally cold, windy and snowy day, the Montana State Billings men’s soccer team found a way to get the victory as Sam Charles scored the second of two goals 4:43 into overtime for the game-winner at the University of Mary, 3-2. With the win, MSUB improved to 8-2-2 on the year, while Mary fell to 6-9-1.

“It was a really important regional win for us today,” head coach Dan McNally said.  “The conditions for the game were brutal – freezing cold, high winds and we played through a snow storm in the second half.  I am very proud of how the guys played today as they found a way to win.  We are unbeaten in seven games and are having a great season.”

Charles received a thru ball from Chris Andre and deaked UM goalkeeper and Billings native Derek Luptak to the right side and scored for the game-winner 4:43 into the extra session.  It was Charles’ team and conference leading fifth game-winner of the season.  He also extended his GNAC-record consecutive games with a point streak to 15 games dating back to last season. 

Andre opened the scoring in the first half for the Yellowjackets as he took a Zach Yeager pass and scored off a header in the box for a 1-0 lead at the 14:15 mark.  It was Yeager’s second assist of the season.  It was the only goal of the half for the Yellowjackets, but they could have had more as they outshot Mary 11-1 for the first half.  Seven shots by the Yellowjackets went wide or high of the net in the half.  Luptak had three saves for the Marauders in the opening period.

Andre has tallied at least a point in four of the last five games.

“I thought Chris Andre had a great game today,” McNally added.  “He wasn’t feeling very well last night.  He told me he was ready to play this morning and he came up with the first goal and was a constant threat today.”

The Marauders got on the board 1:05 into the second half off a set piece as UM scored off a corner kick. Nate Ulness received a pass from Alex Calder to even the score just outside the goal box.

The Yellowjackets didn’t panic as Charles tallied his first goal of the day 22 minutes later.  He received a thru ball from Jeremy DeHerrera into the box for the go ahead score. 

The Marauders had the answer again as Matt Binegar flicked the ball in the net on an assist from Ulness at the 75-minute mark.  The game remained tied 2-2 through the rest of regulation.

UM had a great opportunity in the overtime period right before Charles’ game-winner.  Mary’s Chris Stier received a cross and headed it over the crossbar.

For the game, the Yellowjackets outshot Mary 17-5 and 8-3 in shots on goal.  Charles and Garion Holian led the way with five shots each.  Charles had three shots on goal with two goals.  Andre had three shots with a goal and an assist.  Ulness had a goal and an assist for Mary.

The Yellowjackets return home to face cross-town rival Rocky Mountain College Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Wendy’s Field.  MSUB then returns to conference action with a pair of key road games at Seattle Pacific and at Northwest Nazarene, Oct. 17 and Oct. 20, respectively.  The ‘Jackets then finish the season with three home games beginning Oct. 24 with Rocky, followed by contests versus Saint Martin’s and Western Washington to conclude the month of October.