Billings, Mont. – After four competitive games in California, the Yellowjackets men's soccer team finally has the luxury of playing their first home contests of the 2013 season. Defending home turf will not be an easy task, as Montana State Billings hosts the No. 1 team in the nation (NSCAA Sept. 17 national poll) Simon Fraser on Thur., Sept. 19; then faces a very talented Western Washington squad on Sat., Sept. 21.
 
Both matches will be a part of double-header events with the women's team playing the same universities on each day.
 
Slow starts have been plagued MSUB in the first two weeks of competition; as the common theme for the Jackets has been falling behind early then relying on late game heroics to get back into the match. MSU Billings' offense has not been up to par and average a .067 shot percentage and 0.75 goals per game. Although these figures are low, they have been fairly efficient with their opportunities, posting a .422 shot on goal percentage.
 
The Yellowjackets defense has held up fairly well despite facing heavy offensive pressure and rank No. 2 in the GNAC in saves (23) and No. 5 in goal against average (1.56) while holding opponents to a .448 shot on goal percentage. Michael Aringer, Sam Butterworth, Cameron Lee and Thomas Saltwell will need to play big this weekend as Simon Fraser and Western Washington have strong attacks that rank first and second in goals scored in the GNAC.
 
All four along with goal keeper Eoin Hurley have started every match thus far, and have helped to account for a .767 save percentage. Butterworth has played every minute (404) and recorded one goal from the backline in 2013.
 
Kyle Emerick, Landon Horst and Thorge Jess will need to anchor the offense; as Emerick has one goal on the year, Horst has two assists and Jess has a .714 shot on goal percentage.  
 
Simon Fraser comes into the Magic City as the toast of the conference, region and nation. Following their magnificent run in 2012, where the Clan won the GNAC title and advanced to the Final Four in the NCAA National Tournament; they return in 2013 with an equally talented group. Including their No. 1 national ranking (NSCAA Sept. 17 National Poll), Simon Fraser ranks No. 1 in shots (78), points (45), goals (17) and assists (11) in the GNAC.
 
Defensively the Clan has only allowed five goals and recorded one shutout while facing 23 shots. Lucas Ferritto, Colin Jacques and Glenn Paden are off to hot starts in 2013, attributing for 10 of the team's 17 goals. While the backline remains strong, one area of vulnerability for Simon Fraser is at the goalkeeper position. The Clan has started three different keepers thus far with Toscanny Pandu-Oesman playing the most recent match against Trinity Lutheran. He faced three shots in his shutout of the Eagles.
 
"After returning from an unsuccessful trip to California, our players are up for one of the biggest games of our season," stated head coach Alex Balog. "We worked hard this week to get ready; Simon Fraser is well coached and has been consistently good the past few seasons."
 
"We will have to be fully focused to get something out of this game, which is our goal," Balog said. "Every minute will be a battle, and if our aim is to do well in conference we need a good result tomorrow."
 
MSU Billings and Simon Fraser's men's match will be the second game in the Sept. 19 double-header, starting at approximately 4:00 p.m.
 
Western Washington is much improved from last year and has notched two quality wins this season. Despite losing their most recent outing against Hawaii-Pacific, the Vikings are a very talented and determined group. In the GNAC they rank No. 2 in goals (7), assists (6) and points (20); and rank No. 3 in goal against average (1.23). As a team they average 11.2 shots per game and have a .289 shot on goal percentage.
 
Leading the Western Washington attack is Troy McCarty (2 goals), Andrew Weishaar (2 goals, 2 assists) and Jeremy Wentzel (1 goal, 1 assists) who have combined for 13 points. At keeper, they have Keegan Rogers anchoring the backline; who has three starts, 13 saves and a .765 save percentage.
 
"Western Washington has undergone a coaching change since last season and I know they will be ready Saturday," stated Balog. "In last year's series we played two competitive matches and came away with the split. Although we have to focus on Thursday's match against Simon Fraser first; the Western Washington contest is of massive importance to our season, and a victory against them would be a huge lift for us."
 
The Jackets' and Vikings' men's contest will be the first game in the Sept. 21 double-header, which starts at 1:30 p.m.
 
*Note: All Yellowjacket home events come equipped with Live Stats and a Live Video Web Stream. Click the links provided below, or the "live stats" and "Video" links on the team's schedule page.*
 
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