Yellowjackets Fall 3-2 to Western Washington

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BILLINGS, Mont. – Western Washington and Montana State Billings combined for five second half goals in a 3-2 conference men’s soccer match Saturday afternoon at Yellowjacket Field. Unfortunately, the Yellowjackets came out on the short end of the ledger in the final regular season home game. With the loss, MSUB fell to 10-5-2 overall and 3-3-2 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while WWU improved to 7-11 and 4-3 in league play.

“I am very disappointed with the result today, but I am not disappointed with how my team played coming off a heartbreaking loss two days ago to Saint Martin’s,” head coach Dan McNally said. “We really responded and played with a lot of heart and pride for MSUB.”

The teams played a scoreless first half with the Yellowjackets holding an 8-5 lead in shots and a 2-1 lead in corner kicks as both teams had chances, but couldn’t convert.

Just 54 seconds into the second half, MSUB senior forward Sam Charles, who didn’t play in the first half, scored an unassisted goal to get the Yellowjackets on the board and the lead. Less than four minutes later, the Vikings had the answer as Gibson Bardsley scored off an assist from Oscar Jimenez for a 1-1 score.

Charles scored his 21st goal of the season and now is just one goal from tying the GNAC record for goals in a season with one game to go.

WWU’s Brendan Quilici scored the first of his two goals about nine minutes later putting the Vikings up 2-1. Quilici added another goal, doubling his season output with his fourth score of the year in the 68th minute for a 3-1 lead off an assist from Tyler Bjork. It proved to be the game winner.

The Yellowjackets continued to fight hard and were rewarded with a Tyler Moriarty goal in the 84th minute as he fired what looked to be a pass into the box from about 40 yards out, but with a stiff wind at his back, the ball sailed over the head of WWU goalkeeper Cameron Copps-Tilley for a 3-2 score.

MSUB continued to fire balls into the box on its final possessions and had a good look from Jeremy DeHerrera after the Moriarty goal, but Copps-Tilley came up with the save to preserve the 3-2 victory.

“This year we have failed to win any of our conference home games, but in those games we encountered a great deal of adversity and I don’t think any team could have overcome the challenges we have faced in our home games,” McNally added. “On the road, however, we have been excellent, but in the end it hasn’t been enough.”

Charles led the Yellowjackets with five shots and three on goal and the score. Garion Holian and DeHerrera each had four shots and three on goal in the losing effort. Quilici paced the Vikings with two goals on three shots.

MSUB outshot the Vikings 20-10 and 11-6 in shots on goal. The ‘Jackets also led in corners, 6-2 and held a 12-5 lead in shots in the second half alone. Copps-Tilley made a game-high nine saves, while MSUB goalkeeper, Matt Mitchell had three saves.

“I am very proud of my guys and I feel they have worked as hard as they possibly could and under the circumstances they have been a credit to the university, McNally said.”

MSUB concludes the regular season Wed., Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. at cross-town rival Rocky in a make-up game from Oct. 11.