BILLINGS, Mont. – "Some people wonder, 'is he guessing?' I just say it's magic."
 
There was magic in the air at Daylis Stadium on Saturday night, in the eyes of Montana State University Billings sophomore goalkeeper Joe Scott, and scattered throughout the crowd of around 500 packed into the bleachers to take in the Battle for Billings between MSUB and Rocky Mountain College.
 
A handful of youth players from the Magic City club teams surrounded the field as official ball-holders. Seemingly countless more adorned the grand stands to watch their local heroes do battle on the field.
 
In a gathering of Billings' two premier soccer clubs, the Yellowjacket faithful grew weary of a match that had begun to slip away. The Bears had stricken quickly, capitalizing on a set piece opportunity in the opening five minutes and taking the lead. It was Matthew Thomas, the crafty midfielder from Las Vegas who sneaked in behind MSUB's back line and nodded the stunning first goal into the back of the net.
 
As evening turned to night, emotions ran high between the two clubs. There was Fernando Perez, the pride of Greeley, Colo., covering all corners of the field for the 'Jackets.
 
There was Eddie Cass, the commanding center back from York, England patrolling the well-organized back line for the Bears.
 
There was Julian Toenges, the German winger, fleet-footed as ever streaking up and down the flank.
 
There was Cole Catlin, the hero of a November penalty kick shootout that sent RMC to the NAIA national tournament after the goalkeeper denied three tries from 12 yards out by Marymount University.
 
There was Joe Scott, the Edwall, Wash., native eager to break in MSUB's brand-new, screaming-red goalkeeper kits.
 
Exclamations in two dozen languages pierced the cool spring air throughout the evening, as hard tackles were won and desperate cries of appeal to the referee rang out from both sides.
 
A warlike bellow was voiced from Cameron Lee as he focused every ounce of energy towards blasting a cross out of his team's goal box with his head.
 
The distinct call of the talented freshman defender Siem Klok was voiced, the Holland international taking command next to Cass as the Bears protected their 1-0 advantage into the closing minutes.
 
Five minutes to play now, and MSUB had nary created a legitimate scoring threat on target. The crowd roared as Sam Butterworth drove the ball deep out of MSUB territory, but gasps ensued as even the highest gear of speed Jorge Paez possessed could not settle the ball from crossing for an RMC throw-in.
 
Two minutes left now, and Rocky has surely claimed its stake as the top dog in Billings.
 
A hard tackle, and the 'Jackets win a free kick. "Sam! Wait!" Yellowjacket head coach Alex Balog had to be swift and direct with his instructions, his British left back eager to roll the ball back into play quickly.
 
"Hold your line!" The sentiment carried from Cass throughout his teammates as the field general willed the Bears' defenders into order. But Sam Butterworth's 50-yard drive into the box fell untouched, kicking up off the turf in the delicate spot just in front of the penalty marker. There was Toenges with his head.
 
The screams from his teammates were there, but were inaudible. Voices had long since been lost, but the emotion pouring out of the faces converging on Toenges at the corner flag spoke for themselves.
 
Tie game.
 
On an evening designed to showcase the soccer talent in front of a hometown crowd, neither team would settle for a draw. Straight to a penalty shootout, the decision was made quickly on the field after regulation.
 
NOT SO AVERAGE JOE
 
Catlin quickly provoked memory of his performance last fall, denying the first Yellowjacket attempt of the shootout. Now it was up to Scott, with Cass stepping up first for the Bears.
 
Two thuds quickly followed, the first echoing as Cass's boot struck ball, and the second almost immediately afterwards as Scott's outstretched arms pushed the ball away from his lower right corner.
 
Twice more Scott replicated the feat, his next save again to his right. By the time he rose from the turf after knocking away the third, this time to his left, he had settled it. Thiago Novis buried home the game-winning penalty, helping Scott's clean sheet stand and triggering a wild celebration on the field.
 
"1-2-3, Family!" The 'Jackets broke their postgame huddle, Sebastien Easton lifted high above their heads as they convened around the center of Wendy's Field. The 7-year-old started the evening with a ceremonial kickoff more than 120 minutes earlier, but his mother Mandy showed no concern of the passing of his bedtime.
 
The crowd filed out, buzzing with recollections of what they'd just taken in. "Did you see his leg? It was all bloody!" One kid excitedly quipped to his father. "I want to run that fast one day!" said another.
 
Billings' best had put on a show, and the magic in the air won't soon be forgotten by the Magic City.