BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Rhys Lambert made the only shot on goal of the game count for Montana State University Billings, as he found the net in the 70th minute to give the 'Jackets a 1-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory over Western Washington on Saturday night at Harrington Field.
 
Winning a free kick in its own defensive third, MSUB goalkeeper Tom Lohmann drove a long ball down field that bounced once and was headed into the net by Lambert. The goal was the second of the season for Lambert, and Lohmann was credited with his first-ever assist on the play.
 
"We managed to pull off a great win against a good WWU side today," said MSUB head coach Alex Balog. "The boys worked so hard for this long-overdue win. We really wanted that clean sheet and the boys delivered."
 
Overall on the game WWU held a 12-8 advantage in shots, but MSUB won six corner kicks compared with WWU's 2. The shutout was the first of the season for Lohmann. "I can't compliment our team enough for never giving up, for keeping up high standards every day and for believing in their coaches and themselves," Balog said. "Hopefully this is the start of a long streak and we can keep getting some good results."
 
The victory was the first of the season for MSUB, which improved to 1-3-3 and 1-1-1 in GNAC play. With the loss, the Vikings moved to 2-4-1 on the season and remain winless in conference action at 0-2-1.
 
The Vikings won the first corner of the game, but a header shot by Trevor Bartels missed the goal over the crossbar in the sixth minute.
 
Rhys Lambert had the Yellowjackets' first chance of the game, but his shot in the 13th minute was blocked before it could reach the goal.
 
Fernando Perez had a look towards goal 35 minutes into the game, but his shot missed wide of the target and the score remained 0-0. The Yellowjackets earned back-to-back corner kicks towards the end of the first half, but could not capitalize as the teams headed into the break at a scoreless deadlock.
 
David Loeung managed a shot that was high off target in the 60th minute, as the Yellowjackets kept the pressure on WWU's back line. The Vikings' defense came up big again, this time on a shot by Jorge Paez that was knocked down before reaching the goal.
 
The Yellowjackets escaped disaster when a shot by Caden Sowers was cleared off of the back line to prevent a goal in the 68th minute.
 
MSUB's goal came just two minutes later, as Lohmann's long ball through was flicked on by Lambert's head into the net.
 
The Vikings managed three shots down the stretch – two by Chad Radulovich – but could not find an equalizer as the 'Jackets held on for the victory.
 
NEXT WEEK: MSUB hosts the University of Mary and South Dakota School of Mines in its first two home conference games of the season next weekend. The Yellowjackets and Marauders are set for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Yellowjacket Field on Oct. 2, with the game against the Hardrockers set for 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 4.