BILLINGS, Mont. – Jorge Paez scored his first collegiate goal 12 seconds into the game, but a late equalizer by Tim Hofer resulted in a 1-1 tie between Montana State University Billings and Colorado Mesa in the finale of the Rimrock Classic sponsored by TNT Automotive & Marine Sunday evening at Yellowjacket Field.
 
Thorge Jess fed the ball to Paez after a direct pass from the kickoff, and the freshman shocked CMU with a goal 12 seconds into the match.
 
"That was a great way to start the game, and to execute on the game plan we had and take it to them right off the get-go," commented head coach Alex Balog. "I'm very proud of Jorge for scoring his first collegiate goal, but even prouder of the impact that he has made on this team. He has come in as a freshman, earned a starting spot, and personality wise he is a great addition to the program."
 
Hofer's equalizer came in the 85th minute, as his shot towards goal took a deflection and wound up in the net.
 
The Yellowjackets (0-2-2) outshot the Mavericks (2-1-1) 15-12 on the game, and placed eight on target compared with CMU's seven. Maverick goalkeeper Micah Conrads tallied seven saves, while Tom Lohmann grabbed six for the 'Jackets. The teams were near even in corner kicks, as MSUB had six compared to CMU's five.
 
MSUB brought early pressure offensively as Jess and Rhys Lambert each uncorked shots towards goal that were saved by Conrads in the opening minutes.
 
Lohmann was tested just before the halftime break, reacting on a header shot from point blank range to prevent an equalizing goal.
 
The Mavericks nearly matched MSUB's first half feat, as a shot 12 seconds into the second half missed the far post by less than a foot.
 
The 'Jackets had another opportunity to double their lead with 35 minutes remaining, but a free kick by Lambert from just outside the 18-yard box was deflected wide of the post. Lambert got his head on a cross from Kyle Emerick on the ensuing corner, but his attempt missed high over the crossbar.
 
Strom Nuernberger beat a defender to find himself with space along the left side of the box. He whipped in a perfect cross in front of the goalmouth, and Conrads reacted for an excellent point-blank save on a header shot by Colin Ralston.
 
The Mavericks were inches away from tying the score with 19 minutes left, but a header shot off of a corner kick just missed the side netting on the far post.
 
Keeping their composure on a dangerous free kick, the Yellowjackets protected the lead as Sam Butterworth controlled the ball out of the back past two Maverick attackers.
 
With less than 10 minutes remaining, Patrick LaPorta placed a header shot towards the upper left corner of the goal on a free-kick cross by Nestor Escrobar. Lohmann timed a leap perfectly and tipped the attempt over the crossbar.
 
Disaster struck for the Yellowjackets several minutes later, as Hofer controlled the ball at the top of the box, fired a shot on frame and watched as it deflected off of an MSUB defender past Lohmann into the net.
 
Neither team found a breakthrough goal in the final five minutes of regulation, and MSUB entered extra time for the fourth consecutive game to begin the 2014 season.
 
Brink helped create the first chance for the 'Jackets in overtime, sending a perfect cross into the box. Jess met it with his head, but the shot missed high.
 
Roy Abergil created a dangerous chance for the Mavericks with five minutes left in the first overtime period, but his cross sailed through the unattended six-yard box without being touched.
 
Entering the second half of overtime, MSUB earned a corner kick within the first two minutes, and created several scoring chances into the box. CMU defended well, keeping the game tied at 1-1 through the duress.
 
Moving into the closing minutes of the game, time expired before another serious chance on goal was made by either side.
 
"I'm extremely proud of our team for the way they played, for the way they worked for 110 minutes, and for their ongoing enthusiasm," Balog said. "This is what makes coaching this team an absolute pleasure."
 
COMING UP: The Yellowjackets open Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with three-straight road games. MSUB challenges Northwest Nazarene on Sept. 20 in Nampa, Idaho, Simon Fraser on Sept. 25 in Burnaby, B.C., and Western Washington on Sept. 27 in Bellingham, Wash. Live coverage for all games can be found at www.msubsports.com.