Yellowjacket Men’s Soccer Signs Former Billings Standout Tyler Currence

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings head men’s soccer coach, Dan McNally, announced the signing of former Billings Senior High School standout Tyler Currence for the 2010 season. 

“Tyler is an excellent attacking player,” McNally said.  “He has played with and against some of the best young players in the country over the last three years and that experience will be great for our team.  It is rare that you find a player with such speed and technique.  I think our supporters will enjoy watching him play.” 

Currence, redshirted last year at Division I Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.  Creighton was ranked as high as No. 2 in the country in 2009 and went to the Elite Eight in 2008.  Currence will have four years of eligibility for MSUB and will be able to play immediately.  

“I chose Montana State Billings because I believe Coach McNally is going to do great things with the soccer program,” Currence said.  “I like the fact that he really believes in me and is willing to support me in my soccer endeavors and as a person.”

Prior to Creighton, Currence attended the IMG Academy/U.S. Developmental Academy Pendleton School in Bradenton, Fla., for his junior and senior years.  There, he earned the “Coach Award” from head coach Tom Durkin as a junior and helped lead IMG to a second place finish at the Dallas Cup, including a win over No. 2 Solar (TX) and also defeated the No. 3 team in Shatuck St. Mary as a junior.  He also helped lead IMG to the championship of the Tampa Bay Sunbowl in the U-19 bracket and led the team to three wins in the Nike Friendlies, including games against top-ranked Arsenal and Pateadores.

As a senior, Currence continued his success as he scored the game-winning goal in the playoffs versus No. 6 team in the country (Vardar) in the US Developmental Academy League.  He also competed at the US Developmental Academy National Tournament, which included the top eight teams in the country at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.  There, the team finished third beating Real Colorado (1-0 OT), tied the Dallas Texans (1-1) and beat the Boston Bolts (2-1).  They tied the eventual champions (Carmel United) 3-3.

Not only did Currence see a high level of competition, he also faced a number of National Teams, including the US U-17 team and the Venezuelan U-17 team.

Prior to IMG, Currence played for two years at Billings Senior High School where he was named Rookie of the Year as a freshman at forward and earned the Most Assists Award as a sophomore.  He was an Academic All-State selection both years.

In addition, Currence played for club soccer for the Billings U-12 team through U-16 helping lead the team to the state championship for five straight years.

“I think the best attacking players out of Montana over the last four years are MSUB returners Chris Andre, Garion Holian and our new signing Tyler Currence,” McNally said.  “It is a very positive step for our program that we are able to keep the best players in-state.  MSUB men’s soccer is developing a very positive reputation in Montana.”

The Yellowjackets finished 11-5-2 this past season and return 14 players from 2009 and had their school-record third consecutive 10-plus win season.  MSUB graduated the Ron Lenz Daktronics Division II National Player of the Year in Sam Charles.

“We have had three straight winning seasons and a National Player of the Year, but that is in the past and we can’t get complacent,” McNally added.  “I believe signing players of Tyler’s quality will help us move forward and improve.”

Photos are Tyler Currence signing his NLI (top), Currence and head coach Dan McNally (middle) and bottom, from left to right, MSUB captain Chris Andre, Currence, captain Tyler Moriarty and McNally.