Box Score
PUEBLO, Colo. – Two first half goals by Colorado State University-Pueblo proved to be the difference as the ThunderWolves handed visiting Montana State Billings its first loss of the season Wednesday night, 2-0. With the loss, the Yellowjackets fell to 3-1-1 on the year, while CSUP improved to 1-3.
“It was a bad night for us tonight,” MSUB head coach Dan McNally said. “We gave up two bad goals and we missed chances. Tonight, all of our games on the road finally caught up with us and we didn't play to our usual high standard.”
The Yellowjackets outshot the ThunderWolves 18-13 as both teams had seven shots on goal. MSUB was led by junior Garion Holian (Missoula, MT, Hellgate HS) who had a game-high five shots with two on goal. Sophomore Conner Moe (Snohomish, WA, Bellevue Community College) tallied three shots with one on goal.
The ThunderWolves, playing their first night game in school history, got on the board in the eighth minute as Connor Marcone took a pass from Robert Kinsey for the game winner at the 7:44 mark.
The game remained 1-0 throughout a majority of the rest of the half until CSUP's Chad Smith scored an unassisted goal with just 1:04 left in the half for a 2-0 lead.
MSUB outshot CSUP 9-4 in the opening half with two shots on goal.
Five minutes into the second half, the Yellowjackets went a man down the rest of the way as sophomore Will Whitworth (Billings, MT, Central HS) received a red card and the ejection. From there, the Yellowjackets continued to fight hard and played to a scoreless second half. MSUB had a number of chances to score in the second half, but was unable to convert. Both teams tallied nine shots in the second half, including five shots on goal by the Jackets.
CSUP's Jacob Blum made seven saves to preserve his first shutout of the season in goal. MSUB senior goalkeeper, Matt Mitchell (Thornton, CO, Northglenn HS), stopped five shots in the losing effort.
The ThunderWolves were led by three shots from Jonathan Hall. Marcone converted on his only shot attempt, while Smith had two shots on goal and in the insurance score.
The Yellowjackets return home to host the University of Mary Saturday, at 1 p.m. Live streaming can be accessed via the new home for Yellowjacket sports at www.msubsports.com.
