Box Score
Box Score

Billings, Mont. – After being edged out in an extremely competitive match Thursday evening against nationally ranked Seattle Pacific, eighth year head men's soccer coach Dan McNally rallied the troops to put together a great effort on Saturday afternoon. The Yellowjackets headed into Lacey, Wash. and defeated Saint Martin's University 3-1.
 
The first half saw very physical play from both teams as there were 10 fouls called within the first 20 minutes of play. Senior forward Thomas Sheets took the first shot for the Jackets at 23:22, which would prove to be a key play early in the match.
 
With Sheets' attempt being on target, the Saint's JJ Olsen made the deflection putting the ball into Thomas Chameraud's possession off the rebound. Chameraud effectively knocked in the rebound attempt to give MSUB the early 1-0 lead.
 
This score marked Chameraud's second goal of the season. As the Yellowjackets' offense remained in rhythm, Sheets would score the second goal of the match three minutes after Chameraud's score. Off of a missed clearance by the Saints, Sheets obtained possession at 26:14 and blasted a shot past the keeper to put MSUB up 2-0.
 
While holding the early advantage in the match, MSUB did not let up as they closed out the half with shot attempts by Matt Brink and Joshua Marocchi. Brink's attempted landed wide left and Marocchi's was blocked by a Saint Martin's defender. The Yellowjackets went into the break leading 2-0.
 
MSUB and Saint Martin's both took six shot attempts in the half.
 
The Jackets and Saint Martin's played more balanced in the opening minutes of the second half. MSUB stayed on the attack and took four shots compared to the Saints lone attempt by CJ Chu. Chu's attempt was on target however and sophomore goal keeper Eoin Hurley made a great save on the play.
 
In the 70^th minute, Saint Martin's would cut their two point deficit in half as Nate Barber scored the team's first goal of the match, putting the score at 2-1. Matt Olson was credited with the assist.
 
Feeling pressure from the opposition, the Yellowjackets went back on the attack to stop the home team's momentum. Sam Butterworth took a shot in 80^th minute, but his attempt unfortunately went wide right.

 
Following a foul by Saint Martin's, MSUB received a free kick and took full advantage of the opportunity. Standing at 30 yards out, Chameraud lined up from the left side of the field and blasted a marvelous shot past Olson, putting the Jackets' lead back up two scores. This marked his second score of the day and third of the season.
 
Now holding the 3-1 advantage late in the match, MSUB forced the Saints' last shot attempt to go high over the posts, and the Yellowjackets captured their seventh win of the season.
 
MSUB's starting backline of Butterworth, Brink and Conner Moe; along with substitute defenders Garret Robinson and Chris Hawkins played great defense all day, blocking three shots attempts and forcing another three to land off target.
 
“We played well today and got the result we needed,” stated McNally. “It was our tenth road game of the year but we can look forward to our last six games at home. To have a winning record after playing 10 of our 12 games so far on the road is a great credit to the team!”
 
Hurley ended the match with two saves while recording his twelfth start. Overall the Jackets outshot Saint Martin's 12-9 and held the advantage in shots on target 4-3.
 
Now at 7-4-1 overall and 4-4-1 in the GNAC, MSUB will have the luxury of playing its next six opponents at Yellowjacket Field. First on the agenda for the Yellowjackets are the Western Washington Vikings on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 3:30 p.m.