Box Score
Box Score

McNally Post Game Interview                        Sheets Post Game Interview

Billings, Mont. – Montana State Billings men's soccer team played their first home game in over a month on Thursday afternoon. Squaring off against Western Washington in the second game of the MSUB Kicks Cancer event, the Yellowjackets matched last season's win total as they defeated the Vikings 2-1 in overtime.
 
Thursday's match was the second time of the season the Yellowjackets' fans have gotten the opportunity to see the men's team in action. With an 8-4-1 overall record and a 5-4-1 Great Northwest Athletic Conference mark, MSUB has already surpassed their conference win total and equaled their overall win total from 2011 with five regular season games left.
 
The Yellowjackets and Vikings played an even match for the majority of the game. The only category that showed a disproportionate balance was in fouls with MSUB having 10 plus more than their opposition.
 
Other than a Thomas Sheets' attempt in the first minute that went high, and a Dean Bryon shot that went wide left; the first half's offensive action didn't pick up until the 23^rd minute.
 
After a Sam Butterworth attempt at 23:33 that went wide left, Western Washington put together a strong attack. Between the 25^th and 29^th minutes the Vikings took four consecutive shots, with two being on target. Cameron Lee and the Jacket backline held strong as they made a team save on one attempt and helped Eoin Hurley record his first save of the day on the other.
 
Possession would shift back to MSUB and they would close out the half taking four shot attempts of their own from the 36^th minute until the break. Landon Horst's attempt was on target, but Western Washington defended well and came up with a team save.
 
The Jackets and Western Washington would enter the intermission in a 0-0 tie, with both teams taking six shots each.
 
In the second half, MSUB started on the attack first, with Horst taking a shot that landed on target at 49:35. The Vikings' Keegan Rogers made a nice save on the play. Between the 51^st and 60^th minutes, both teams traded possession, with Western Washington taking three shots compared to the Yellowjackets' two attempts.
 
At 62:08, MSUB would deal the game's first crucial blow. After being intentionally tackled by the Vikings' goal keeper to prevent a score, Conner Moe received a penalty shot. Moe sized the keeper up and effectively completed the attempt, placing the shot in the bottom left of the goal to give the Jackets the 1-0 lead. The score marks Moe's first of the season.
 
Both teams would go back and forth until the 75^th minute where Western Washington would gain a significant possession of the ball. Putting together a series of efficient attacks, the Vikings forced MSUB into a hand ball to intentionally stop a score.
 
At 86:14 Western Washington received a penalty kick on the play and Sujinda Dangvan scored the equalizer goal, putting the score at a 1-1 dead lock.
 
Justin Moore took the final attempt of regulation in the 87^th minute but Hurley effectively stopped the shot making a nice save on the play. MSUB was not able to take any shot attempts in the closing minutes and at the end of regulation, both teams were notched 1-1.

 
The game's tempo slowed in the early minutes of the overtime period until MSUB gained possession midway through the period. At 95:59 Josh Marocchi made a nice pass to Sheets putting him slightly past his defender. As the defender recovered, Sheets made one of the best plays of the year. Receiving the ball on the left side of the field, Sheets was 30 yards out and shot a rocket in the air that was seemingly headed over the post. As the shot was heading off target, it made a slight bend to find its way in the upper right corner of the net.
 
The game winning goal was Sheets fourth score on the season and he now leads the team in goals scored.
 
“It was a very even game today and it took a special moment to win it,” head coach Dan McNally said. “We have had a tough run with injuries but we continue to pick up wins. The boys really worked hard today to get this result. Sheets scored a great goal. I'm really pleased for him.”
 
Hurley finished with four saves and picked up his seventh win of the season.
 
Next on the agenda for the Yellowjackets will be the 11^th Annual Futbol Frenzy held on Saturday, Oct. 20 where MSUB will host a double-header event versus Simon Fraser University. The men's game will start at 1:00 p.m.