BILLINGS, Mont. – Thiago Novis scored his first goal as a Yellowjacket and assisted on a second as he helped the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team to a 3-2 preseason exhibition victory over visiting Lethbridge University Tuesday evening at Yellowjacket Soccer Field.
 
"This is a result we can be satisfied with, and we created a lot of chances and possessed the ball well in patches," commented MSUB head coach Alex Balog. "We just need to be a little more consistent and when we show up for practice tomorrow morning that's exactly what we are going to focus on."
 
Novis made it 1-0 with a goal in the 16th minute, and assisted on a goal by Julian Toenges 10 minutes later as MSUB built a strong 2-0 edge early on.
 
The game was evenly matched overall, with MSUB holding a slight 12-11 advantage in shots and a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.
 
"Anthony came in and played the whole game as a freshman, and he's done very well today," said Balog. "This was promising for his career and he has a bright future in our program."
 
The 'Jackets got on the board midway through the first, as Fernando Perez played the ball to Novis towards the top of the box on the left side. The junior cut loose a right-footed shot from 23 yards out that curled over the head of LU's keeper and into the back of the net.
 
Lethbridge had a chance with 24 minutes remaining, earning a free kick from 27 yards out. Chris Rushworth stood over the ball and took a shot towards the goal, but missed just high over the crossbar.
 
Novis was involved with MSUB's next breakthrough as well, sending a long ball across the field to Toenges on the right side. The junior took two touches past his defender into the box, and slotted a low shot into the left side netting to make the score 2-0.
 
Twelve minutes before the halftime break, Lethbridge got a goal back as Nick Leszczynski pushed a header shot over an oncoming Joe Scott and into the back of the net. The cross came from Sean Gaiesky on the left side, and took one big bounce before meeting Leszczynski's head.
 
Neither team had a quality look towards goal in the remainder of the first, and MSUB carried a narrow 6-5 edge in shots along with its 2-1 lead into the halftime break.
 
The teams traded possession to open the second half, with the Yellowjackets controlling the ball in their defensive third and building their attack.
 
With 38 minutes remaining, MSUB won a free kick from the right side, but Lethbridge goalkeeper Benjamin Spendlove collected a high cross from Novis before Garret Robinson could get his head on it.
 
Toenges started another dangerous chance for MSUB, as he caught a streaking Sam Butterworth in stride down the left side of the field. The senior whipped in a cross with his right foot, and an attempt to clear the ball by LU ended in an own goal that put MSUB ahead 3-1.
 
Lethbridge once again had an answer however, as a shot by Kendell Wiens was tipped over the bar by Scott and out for a corner kick. On the ensuing cross, a shot was knocked down and deflected into MSUB's net off of its defenders to make the score 3-2.
 
The 'Jackets nearly added another goal a minute later, but a cross from David Loeung was just over the head of Novis in front of the goal.
 
MSUB avoided disaster inside of 10 minutes to play, as Scott knocked away a point-blank shot by Kyle Angerilli from eight yards out.
 
A counter attack ended when a promising cross from Jacob Richter was collected by LU's keeper inside the six-yard box before the 'Jackets could get a foot on it.
 
Lethbridge picked up another dangerous opportunity with a direct free kick just outside the top of the box. Dominique Point du Jour fired a shot towards the right post and around MSUB's defensive wall, but it rolled wide of the goal harmlessly with three minutes remaining.
 
Novis was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game for his crucial goal and assist. "Thiago came in absolutely flying," Balog said of Novis. "Physically he is in incredible shape, he's a monster of a guy, and can overpower his opponent. With his speed and technical skillset he is going to be very good for us."
 
UP NEXT: MSUB takes on the Northwest College Trappers on Thursday in another preseason exhibition contest. Action will kick off at 4 p.m. with live video and statistics available.
 
"On Thursday we've got Northwest, another hurdle for us this preseason," Balog said. "With the result we just got under our belts I think we will head into that game with a lot of confidence."