SEATTLE -- The Montana State University Billings men's soccer team was unable to overcome a pair of goals in falling 2-0 to the Seattle Pacific University Falcons in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference match Saturday night at SPU's Interbay Stadium.

 

The Yellowjackets fall to 2-4-0 overall on the season and are now 0-2-0 in the GNAC. The Falcons improved to 3-1-1 on the year and are now 2-0-0 in the conference.

 

“We played really well tonight,” head coach Dan McNally said. “The boys were heartbroken after tonight's match as they gave everything they had. It seems as though every individual mistake we make right now is being punished. We're missing a few senior players right now and our freshmen are learning a hard lesson about how competitive division II soccer is. Overall, I can't fault the effort of our guys, but now we have to prepare ourselves for a very tough home stand next week.”

 

The Yellowjackets started strong in the match, getting a good look at the goal on a header by Thomas Chameraud, but the try sailed over the crossbar. Thomas Sheets then had a chance early in the 15^th minute when he sent a header toward goal, but SPU keeper Zach Johnson was there for the save.

 

The Falcons countered just minutes later with a pair of shots, but as one sailed wide, the other was saved by freshman keeper Eoin Hurley. Hurley got help from his defense in the 21^st minute as Connor Moe cleared a shot Chris Morris to keep the match scoreless.

 

The winning goal came late in the 43^rd minute when Kodiac Gamble put a header into the right side of the net from five yards out for his first goal of the year. The assist came on an indirect free kick from Evan Robicheau.

 

SPU came out of the break on the offensive, firing three shots in the first six minutes of the half. A shot by Tyler Schultz required saving from Hurley, keeping the Jackets in the match.

 

MSUB saw an opportunity in the 76^th minute as Isaac Kerr put a foot into the ball, but again Johnson was there for the save. Sheets had chance to equalize in the 86^th minute, but the Falcons defense stepped up and blocked the shot.

 

The Falcons added the second goal in the 90^th minute as Richie Evoy chipped his shot in from 16 yards out over the head of Hurley for his first goal of the year.

 

The Yellowjackets were outshot 21-7 in total shots and 8-3 in shots on goal. The Falcons also held a 3-0 edge in corners.

 

Hurley made six saves in taking the loss (1-4-0), while Johnson made three saves in taking the win and getting the shutout.  

 

The Yellowjackets return home next week as they host GNAC favorite Simon Fraser University on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 1:30 p.m., and Western Washington University on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 4 p.m. Both games will be webstreamed and will also have live stats available.