Yellowjackets Blank Rocky in Season Finale; Charles Breaks GNAC Goals Record

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BILLINGS, Mont. – On a beautiful sunny day in Billings in November, the Montana State Billings men’s soccer team ended the 2009 season on a high note as it blanked Rocky Mountain College 5-0 at Wendy’s Field on the Rocky campus.  Senior Sam Charles tallied his second hat trick of the season in record-setting fashion, breaking the Great Northwest Athletic Conference record for goals in a season.

“It is a bittersweet day for me,” head coach Dan McNally said.  “I am very happy we won the game against our in-town rival and finished the season with a win, but it is sad I won’t get the opportunity to coach these seniors again.  All of my seniors have been magnificent during their career at MSUB.  I am extremely proud of them all.  The one thing I am really happy about today watching them play is seeing how much they have grown from being 18-year olds in 2006 on a struggling team to now.  I think they are all going to be great men and they are leaving with great futures in front of them.  I am so proud of those guys.”

Charles tallied the record-tying goal just 22 minutes into the game as he received a clear out from senior Tom Milroy and Charles beat two defenders and the goalkeeper for the open shot on net and a 1-0 lead.  Less than 10 minutes later, Garion Holian scored his sixth goal of the year off a nice pass from Charles for a 2-0 lead.  With that assist, Charles broke the school record for assists in a career with his 18th, topping Scott Dixon (2007-2008). 

The Yellowjackets, who dominated the half offensively, led 2-0 at intermission.  The Jackets held a 10-2 lead in shots and a 5-0 lead in corner kicks.

Charles then broke the GNAC record for goals in a season with his 23rd score at the 55:55 mark on a penalty kick.  It was his fourth penalty kick of the season and 16th converted penalty kick (16-17) in his career.  Bobby McAlister of Seattle University (2004) held the record with 22.

Freshman Blair Stevenson scored his first collegiate goal in the 64th minute as he took a nice pass from Chris Andre and fired the shot from inside the box for the score.  It was Andre’s team-leading ninth assist on the year and his 18th career assist to tie Charles in the school’s annals.

Charles added the hat trick goal and his 24th score on the year in the 84th minute on an assist from Ross Carmichael for a 5-0 lead.  It was his second hat trick of the season and his league-best fifth of his career.  He finishes his prolific career with 69 goals, 18 assists and 156 points.  He also had 23 game winners in his career.

MSUB (11-5-2) finishes the season with an 11-5-2 record which is the second-most wins in a season in school history.  MSUB won 13 games in 2007.  It was the Yellowjackets’ third consecutive winning season which also is the most in school history.
 
Over the last three years, our record stands at 34-17-3 and I think that has established us as not only a quality program in our conference, but also in the region and nationally,” McNally added. 

For the game, Charles led the way with eight shots, four on goal, three scores and one assist.  Holian had three shots with two on goal and one score.  Stevenson had two shots on goal and a score to pace the Yellowjackets offensively.  Alex Ritson had three shots with one on goal for Rocky (4-10-1).

MSUB outshot the Bears 21-6 and held a 7-0 lead in corner kicks.  All three Yellowjacket goalkeepers saw action Wednesday as senior Sander Tollefson played the first half tallying one save, while Matt Mitchell and Daneson Gray played in the second half each with one save.

“This year I always will feel this team had the ability to represent MSUB at the regional tournament,” McNally said.  “We did everything possible to get there, unfortunately for us it was extremely difficult to win at home.  There were many obstacles put in front of us and we just couldn’t overcome them.  However, I will always be proud of these guys and they should be proud of their achievements.”