Box Score

DURANGO, Colo. -- Three second half goals doomed the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team in their season opener against Fort Lewis College Thursday afternoon in Durango, falling to 0-1-0 on the young season.

 

“I thought we played really well in the first half and looked comfortable early,” said head coach Dan McNally. “We were defending well, but we conceded a soft goal early in the second half, and they put us under a lot of pressure for the remainder of the match. Fort Lewis is really a tough place to play because of the elevation, but Fort Lewis is also a very tough side. We have to take the positives from the match and get ready for Saturday.”

 

The Yellowjackets came out shooting as Garion Holian took a shot two minutes in, but was turned away by Skyhawks keeper Ryan Wirth. Holian again took a shot at the 20:14 mark, but was again stoned by Wirth.

 

MSUB keeper Eoin Hurley was a wall early as he faced nine shots in the half and turned away two that were a threat. He also had help from the post as a shot by Fabian Kling at the 25:08 mark found the near post to keep the game all square.

 

The Skyhawks broke the deadlock in the second half when Jordan Alexander curled the ball into the upper left corner from just inside the 18 for the first goal of the season.

 

The second goal was scored just two minutes later when Thomas Hoang scored from 10 yards out, putting the ball in near the far post.

 

MSUB was unable to mount an offense in the second half as the Skyhawks prevented the Jackets from registering a shot with their tough defense.

 

The final goal came at 78:27 when Alexander again found the net for his second goal of the evening.

 

The Yellowjackets were outshot 19-2 during the match and did not take a corner kick as Fort Lewis took three. Hurley made four saves in taking his first loss at MSUB, while Holian took the only shots for the Yellowjackets.