Box Score BILLINGS, Mont. – A goal each by David Loeung and Niklas Schregel helped the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team to a strong 2-1 victory over the University of Mary Thursday afternoon at Yellowjacket Field.
 
Loeung scored his first goal of the season in the 23rd minute on an assist by Zach Lempka, and Schregel followed with his first in the second half to break a 1-1 draw.
 
"I have to give our team a lot of credit today," said head coach Alex Balog. "The conditions weren't easy and that didn't allow us to play our usual game, but the boys found a way to grind it out and get a result. I'm pleased for our newcomers David, Niklas and Zach to get on the statsheet with their goals and assist."
 
Aaron Mc Elwee scored the lone goal for UM, equalizing the score in the 36th minute. The Marauders outshot MSUB overall on the match 15-8, and had five corner kicks compared with two by the Yellowjackets.
 
The victory propelled MSUB's record to 2-3-3 on the season, and the 'Jackets are now 2-1-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.
 
MSUB goalkeeper Tom Lohmann made five saves on the match, while UM's Michael Frenzel had three.
 
Early on in the first, Rhys Lambert played a perfect ball across the field onto the foot of Sam Butterworth, who beat a pair of defenders moving into the box. His left-footed shot was on frame, but Frenzel pushed it wide of the goal for an MSUB corner kick.
 
A great hustle play by Butterworth midway through the first helped create the first goal of the game for MSUB. Butterworth pressured a Mary attacker, and Lempka gained possession of the ball in the Yellowjackets' defensive third. Lempka maintained control, streaking down the sideline past several UM defenders. Upon reaching the box, the freshman whipped in a cross to the charging Loeung, who touched the ball into the net to give the 'Jackets the lead.
 
The Marauders nearly equalized six minutes later, when Aaron Brennan found himself behind the defense with only the keeper to beat. His shot from point-blank range was knocked down by Lohmann, a crucial save that kept the lead in the hands of the 'Jackets.
 
Finding an equalizer with less than 10 minutes before the half, Mc Elwee took a pass from Brennan inside the box and tucked a shot inside the far post to make the score 1-1.
 
Nearly taking advantage of a corner kick coming out of the break, Mary knocked a loose ball around the box that came close to bouncing into the net. Lohmann ended up with the ball in his hands, keeping the score even at 1-1.
 
Helping keep the back line organized for UM, Adam Potter made a strong sliding tackle against Butterworth to prevent the Yellowjacket junior from reaching the box with the ball.
 
Gaining possession in the defensive third, Butterworth played a long ball over the top of the UM defense that led Niklas Schregel towards the box. The freshman took several touches around a defender, then finished a shot into the net to give MSUB a 2-1 advantage with 10 minutes gone in the second half.
 
Pushing up along the right side, Matt Brink played a great cross into space for Butterworth, but his shot from just outside the 18-yard box missed just over the crossbar.
 
UM pushed forward into the closing minutes of the second half, but did not find another equalizer as MSUB collected its second conference win of the season.
 
"Overall this was a great win for us and a good way to carry our momentum into Saturday's game against South Dakota School of Mines," Balog said.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets host South Dakota Mines on 'Jacket Saturday in more GNAC action at Yellowjacket Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and free chili and soft drinks will be served while supplies last.