BILLINGS, Mont. – Ricardo Palomino scored four goals – including three in a span of 11 minutes in the second half – and the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team cruised to a 4-1 preseason exhibition victory over visiting Northwest College Thursday afternoon at Yellowjacket Field.
 
David Loeung provided assists on Palomino's first two goals, and Garret Robinson supplied the assist on his final goal as the 'Jackets pushed their goal total over two exhibition games to seven.
 
"This was an absolutely fantastic performance for the first start in Ricardo's MSUB career," commented MSUB head coach Alex Balog. "To get on the end of all of these balls wasn't a fluke, and he is connecting really well with David Loeung. They are finding each other inside and outside of the box, their movement offensively is good, and I can't stress how happy I am with our offensive work."
 
The 'Jackets won free kicks early and often, with Sam Butterworth firing in several crosses from close range that presented scoring threats in the first half. "Sam has the potential to be the best left back in the conference," Balog said of Butterworth. "He can defend, he can attack, he's skillful, and the way he played with passion today is what we want to see from him."

MSUB earned a corner kick within the first two minutes of the game, and it took a good save from NWC keeper Alex Basulto to prevent a header shot from Palomino from finding the back of the net.
 

Butterworth was on the delivering end of MSUB's next three chances, first serving in a free kick from 40 yards away into the box. Rhys Lambert flicked a shot on target, and a diving tip save by Basulto resulted in a corner kick. Butterworth sent in two crosses on back-to-back corners, but NWC protected its net.
 
After a throw-in 15 minutes into the match, the Trappers had a look towards goal. Javier Sanchez cleared himself space on the left side of the box, but his right-footed strike curled wide of the near post.
 
Midway through the first half, Niklas Schregel helped create a chance for the 'Jackets with a long, cross-field pass that found the foot of Jorge Paez. The sophomore carried the ball into the box on the right side and crossed the ball to Loeung, but his shot missed just high over the goal.
 
The Yellowjackets' first breakthrough started in the back, with Butterworth connecting into the middle to Schregel. The midfielder knocked a long ball up field to Loeung, who curled a cross into the box as Palomino sprinted forward. The junior calmly took one touch over the charging keeper, making the score 1-0 in favor of MSUB with 15 minutes to play before halftime.
 
NWC nearly equalized five minutes before the break, but a loose ball in the box wound up carrying inches over the crossbar for a goal kick.
 
The Trappers opened the second half with a golden scoring opportunity, earning a free kick just outside the 18-yard box in the center. Felix Pastenes struck a shot, but missed high as the 'Jackets held onto their lead.
 
MSUB continued to move the ball early on in the second, as Thiago Novis swung a long ball across the field and Julian Toenges carried it up the right side. His cross into the box found Palomino just late, and his shot sailed over the crossbar.
 
The Trappers caught MSUB with a loose ball in the box with 25 minutes to play, as Sam White knocked in a shot from point-blank range to even the score at 1-1.
 
Less than a minute later, Cameron Lee won a one-on-one challenge defensively that prevented a breakaway towards goal and directly led to a shift in possession. The 'Jackets built on the momentum, regaining the lead on a diving header goal by Palomino on a cross from Loeung on the ensuing play down field.
 
Palomino didn't waste much time completing his hat trick, as he wound up on the far end of a loose ball inside the box, beat two defenders and slotted home his third goal of the day just three minutes after his second goal.
 
With time winding down in the second, MSUB again created a scoring chance out of its defensive third. Robinson controlled a long ball into the box, beat a defender, and placed a perfect pass onto Palomino's foot from point-blank range in front of the net.
 
On the game MSUB and NWC had a dozen shots apiece, but the 'Jackets placed eight of theirs on target while the Trappers managed just one. MSUB totaled six corner kicks compared with three by NWC, and Basulto wound up with three saves in goal.
 
Palomino was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game, as he led all players with seven shots including five on target.
 
"This was a great performance overall, and we are happy with the big win," Balog said. "This was the best possible way to honor Trevor, and I know the guys feel the same way about it."
 
A moment of silence was held prior to kickoff, to honor the passing of freshman Trevor Wildberger, who had been battling cancer. "It's been a difficult few days for our program, but our guys have handled what has been dealt to them in a very mature and responsible way," Balog said.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets will play their final preseason exhibition match on Sunday, with a 3 p.m. kickoff time against Western Nebraska Community College. MSUB will begin its regular season on the road against Cal State San Marcos and Metro State University in neutral site games hosted by Dixie State University in St. George, Utah on Sept. 4 and 6.