BILLINGS, Mont. – Honoring its four seniors before Saturday's game, the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team will close its 2014 campaign against Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent Northwest Nazarene on Senior Day at Yellowjacket Field with kickoff set for 2 p.m.
 
Kyle Emerick, Matt Brink, Andres Moreano-Enriquez and Grady Bryson will each be recognized before kickoff and celebrated for the contributions they have made to the MSUB program during their careers as Yellowjackets.
 
Saturday's match will feature live video and statistics available via www.msubsports.com.
 
MSUB (6-8-3, 6-6-1 GNAC) lost to the Crusaders 2-0 in Nampa, Idaho on Sept. 20 during the first game of the season between the teams.
 
The Yellowjackets are being led this year by a trio of sophomores offensively, who have accounted for 18 of the team's 23 goals. Thorge Jess leads the way with seven, and also has two assists for 16 points. Close behind is transfer Colin Ralston, who has found the net six times and added an assist for 13 points.
 
Leading the team with three game-winning goals, midfielder Rhys Lambert has scored five times overall and also has an assist to his name in 13 starts.
 
Earning significant minutes as a freshman, midfielder Niklas Schregel has started 13 matches while playing in 16 and has scored one goal this season. David Loeung and Jorge Paez have each found the net twice, with the former having played in all 17 matches.
 
Brink, Sam Butterworth, and Cameron Lee continue to anchor MSUB's back line, each with 15 starts and at least 1,200 minutes played. Butterworth leads the team with six assists on the season, and Emerick is close behind with five.
 
Brink was recently named GNAC defensive Player of the Week, after helping MSUB to a 2-0 shutout over Saint Martin's and holding No. 2 SPU to just two shots on target in a tough 1-0 loss. Also seeing time defensively has been Thomas Saltwell, who has started 14 games in the back for the 'Jackets.
 
Providing a spark offensively, Julian Toenges has turned in a pair of assists and has emerged into a regular starter for MSUB. Jesper Fries has also stepped up defensively, starting the last three matches and playing 12 overall after beginning the season on the shelf with an injury.
 
In goal, sophomore Tom Lohmann holds a 1.39 goals-against average while having played every minute of the season. He has made 73 saves on the year and has been credited with three shutouts.
 
Saturday, Nov. 8 – 2 p.m. – Yellowjacket Field – Senior Day
Northwest Nazarene University Crusaders
2014 Record: 13-3-1, 10-2-1 GNAC
Head Coach: Coe Michaelson
2013 GNAC Finish: 4th (5-7-5, 5-6-3 GNAC)
 
Riding momentum from a three-game winning streak, including a 1-0 win over No. 2 Seattle Pacific last week, Northwest Nazarene closes its regular season against MSUB on Saturday. The Crusaders are currently in second place in the GNAC standings with a record of 13-3-1 overall and 10-2-1 in conference play.
 
Leading the team and ranking second in goals in the GNAC is Erik Anderson, who has found the net 10 times this season. His five assists give him 25 total points, which ranks second in the conference.
 
Reigning GNAC Newcomer of the Year Fredy Razo is one goal behind Anderson with nine on the season, and has also turned in four assists for a point total of 22. Rene Duevel and Michael Mollay each have five goals for NNU, which has outscored opponents 34-12 overall.
 
Leading the team in assists is Julio Castillo, whose total of seven ranks second in the GNAC. The Crusaders have had at least one assist on every goal this season, with 37 total to lead the conference.
 
In goal, Alfredo E. Ontiveros has played all 17 games and holds a goals-against average of 0.65. He has made 69 saves on the season and has recorded eight shutouts. Ontiveros' save percentage of .863 is the top mark in the GNAC.
 
As a team the 'Saders rank second in shots (251), and points (105) and third in goals (34) and goals per game (2.00). The team's 12 goals allowed is the second-lowest mark across the GNAC, and NNU has scored multiple goals in 11 of its 13 wins this season.
 
The Series: MSUB currently holds an all-time mark of 8-10-2 against NNU, including a mark of 1-3-2 at Yellowjacket Field. The Crusaders have gone undefeated in the last five meetings between the teams, dating back to a 4-3 overtime win by MSUB on Oct. 29, 2011 in Nampa.