BILLINGS, Mont. – Two second half goals by Northwest Nazarene spoiled the Montana State Billings men's soccer Senior Day festivities, 2-1, at Yellowjacket Field.  The Yellowjackets finish the season with an 8-9-1 record overall, and a 2-8 record in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  The Crusaders finished with an 8-8 record, and a 4-6 mark in conference play.

“This game sums up our season,” MSUB head coach Dan McNally said.  “We were in control for 75 minutes, but for 15 minutes we had a complete let down and gave the game away.  It has happened too many times this year and it's not good enough.  It's a real shame for our seniors that we couldn't hold out and get the win.  All five seniors have had great careers and I am a very lucky man to have been able to coach them.  I wish them all the success in their future.”

Prior to the match, the Yellowjackets honored the five seniors playing in their last game in a Yellowjacket uniform.  The 2010 Senior Class went a school-record 42-26-4 during their career and helped the Jackets to a school record three-straight 10-plus win seasons and three consecutive winning seasons.  The five seniors included; Chris Andre, Ryan Covey, James Henry, Matt Mitchell and Kyle Moriarty.

MSUB got on the board late in the first half as junior Peter Davies fired a pass to Andre at the corner of the six-yard box. Andre headed the ball past a diving NNU goalkeeper, Zander Engeman, for a 1-0 lead.  It was Andre's team-leading 10^th goal of the season and the fourth assist of the season for Davies. 

The Yellowjackets held a 1-0 lead at intermission as MSUB held a 5-3 lead in shots and a 4-3 lead in corner kicks. 

Northwest Nazarene leveled the game in the 61^st minute as Stephen Davidson scored off a corner kick from Alex Mangeac for a 1-1 score.  Moments later, the Crusaders added the game winner as Chris Voth scored unassisted for a 2-1 lead.

The Yellowjackets kept fighting and were awarded a penalty kick in the 75^th minute.  Andre took the kick and Engeman came up with a diving save to preserve the lead.  MSUB then got a corner kick off the save, but a shot a few moments later by Andre sailed wide.

MSUB was led by five shots and three on goal from sophomore Thomas Sheets.  Andre had three shots and two on goal with the one score.  Junior Garion Holian had two shots with one on goal, while Davies had the assist. 

Voth led the way with three shots and one on goal off the bench for the Crusaders.  He also had the game winner.

In a very even game, statistically speaking, the teams each recorded 11 shots and six on goal.  MSUB held a slim 7-6 lead in corners, while Engeman tallied five saves and Mitchell had four stops for the Jackets.

“It's been a tough season,” McNally added.  “We have had a number of injuries to key players which has really hurt us.  At the end of the day, we have to accept it and move forward and get ready for the 2011 season.”