Men’s Soccer Drops Heartbreaker in Final Seconds of Double Overtime, 2-1

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BILLINGS, Mont. – With just 27 seconds left in the second overtime, Saint Martin’s Xan Nixon scored his second goal of the day as the visiting Saints won 2-1 at Montana State Billings Thursday afternoon at Yellowjacket Field.  With the loss, the Yellowjackets fell to 10-4-2 on the year and 3-2-2 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while the Saints improved to 10-6 on the year and a league-best 5-1 in conference play.

“It is a difficult result for us to accept today,” head coach Dan McNally said. Unfortunately we were in complete control of the game at 1-0, but then we made a big mistake and allowed Saint Martin’s back in the game.  They are a dangerous team when they have that kind of motivation and play from their front players.  It is hard for my guys to come off the field after losing that game.” 

Nixon received a pass from Vlad Voin off a clear out as the clock was nearing 30 seconds remaining in double overtime.  Nixon made a move on the near side just outside the box and fired the game-winner past Matt Mitchell for the 2-1 golden-goal victory.

The heartbreaking defeat soured a record-breaking day by MSUB senior forward Sam Charles as he scored his 20th goal of the season, breaking the previous record of 19 set by Charles set each of the past two seasons.  Charles now is just two goals shy of tying the conference record of 22 with two games remaining in the regular season.

The Yellowjackets broke open a hotly contested battle that had conference championship and potential NCAA Tournament implications, with Charles’ goal just 9:25 into the contest. He dribbled past two defenders from about 35 yards out into the box, firing a shot past Zac Lubin for a 1-0 lead.

Nixon evened the game midway through the second half as he received a long throw in from Brandon Scott.  Nixon headed it past MSUB goalkeeper Sander Tollefson for a 1-1 score.  It was the first goal scored on Tollefson in over two games as he posted back-to-back shutouts last week.

MSUB had a good look late in the half as Chris Andre broke away from a couple of defenders and got a shot past Lubin, but the ball rolled just wide of the net as it would have put the Yellowjackets up 2-1.

For the half, the Saints had eight shots with three on goal, while MSUB had seven shots with three on goal.  MSUB had two corner kicks and each goalkeeper had two saves.

The second half saw both teams have numerous chances and offsides played a factor for both teams as each squad was flagged five times in the game.  Saint Martin’s dominated the shots in the second half to the tune of 8-2.  Mitchell made four second half saves as he relieved Tollefson at the intermission.

“We scored four goals but unfortunately for us, three of them were cancelled out for offsides decisions,” McNally added.  “In our conference home games this year, we haven’t taken advantage of the opportunities we have had, and that has cost us in the end.” 

The Yellowjackets had a look in the first overtime as Charles fired a shot, but Lubin had the answer to preserve the tie.  Voin and Ruben Orozco hooked up late in the first overtime, but Mitchell had the save to send it to second overtime.

In the second overtime, MSUB had two shots, one went wide by Andre and the other was a good look and save off a Jarred Weisen attempt.

For the game, Charles led the way with three shots on goal and the lone goal for the Yellowjackets.  Nixon had a game-high 10 shots and six on goal with two scores to pace the Saints.  SMU led the game in shots, 18-12 and a 9-6 lead in shots on goal.  Mitchell made five saves in the second half and overtime for the Yellowjackets and Lubin also had five saves.

The Yellowjackets close out the home season on Saturday at 3 p.m., versus Western Washington.  MSUB then concludes the regular season at Rocky on Wed., Nov. 4, at 2:30 p.m. at Wendy’s Field in a make-up game from Oct. 11.