MSUB SPORTS – Every good team's attack starts with its defense, and that mantra holds true if you ask the MSU Billings coaches of the 2010s decade.
 
From rock-solid center backs who facilitated distribution from the back, to stealthy outside backs who put in more mileage up and down the wings than nearly any player on the pitch, the Yellowjacket all-decade team is stacked with all-conference defenders who left their mark on the program.
 

Day	Release
Monday, August 31, 2020	Men's Soccer - Forwards
Tuesday, September 1, 2020	Men's Soccer - Midfielders
Wednesday, September 2, 2020	Men's Soccer - Defenders
Thursday, September 3, 2020	Men's Soccer - Goalkeepers
Friday, September 4, 2020	Men's Soccer - Full Team

 
Sam Butterworth
Position: Left Back
Hometown: Aylesford, England
Playing Years: 2012-2015 (4 seasons)

Feature Story: Butterworth Supports The 'Jackets, And That's The Way He Likes It
 
A true wing back, Butterworth was just as dangerous offensively up and down the flank as he was sturdy defensively on the back line. A four-year starter, Butterworth was featured in the Starting XI 65 times throughout his career and was a two-time honorable mention all-conference left back.
 
In addition to his defensive duties, Butterworth was a master facilitator of the ball and concluded his career with 10 assists to his name to go along with three goals. He had a knack for delivering in the clutch as well, with nine of his 13 assists or goals coming in matches that the Yellowjackets earned points in.
 
Butterworth was a boost of energy on the pitch, where he played with a fiery passion, and as a team leader and captain off the pitch where he dedicated himself to the culture of the program.


 
Butterworth on his MSUB career: "A massive thank you to Dan McNally, Alex Balog, and Thomas Chameraud for the belief and trust in me over my four great years at MSUB. Thank you to everyone that I met and for the support you gave me and the team throughout my years there, from players, friends, parents, and teachers who were there. The biggest thank you goes to my family for the support and love they gave me during my career. I would not have had the opportunity to play at MSUB without them."
 
Thomas Chameraud (Butterworth's Teammate 2012, Assistant Coach 2013-2015): "Very loud. Very good left-footed player who could go up and down the field. He had very good defensive and offensive skills, and was a great character."
 
Alex Balog (Butterworth's Assistant Coach 2012, Head Coach 2013-2015): "Sam was the best left back we had in my time at MSUB, and arguably the best left back in the GNAC. He was a great team guy, and someone who could defend well but also contributed offensively. I know he holds MSUB close to his heart."
 
Where is he now? Butterworth is the advertisement manager of electronics publication at Datateam Business Media, in his home town of Aylesford, England.
 

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Conner Moe
Position: Center Back
Hometown: Snohomish, Washington
Playing Years: 2010-2012 (3 seasons)
 
The ultimate stalwart, rock-solid center back, Moe anchored everything the Yellowjackets did for three seasons as a starter to kick off the decade. Moe was featured in the Starting XI 43 times in his career, and earned first-team all-GNAC and third-team all-region honors. MSUB's teams went 27-22-5 combined during Moe's career, which culminated with an 11-5-2 senior campaign that stood as the top team performance of the decade.
 
Moe even managed to get himself on the score sheet in each of his three seasons, scoring four goals and adding three assists in his senior year to bolster the offensive unit. Moe cites his first-career goal, coming on Oct. 21, 2010 against Saint Martin's, as his most memorable with it standing as the game-winner in the 2-0 clean sheet for the 'Jackets.


 
Moe on MSUB: "The MSUB men's soccer team that I played for between 2010 and 2012 stood out through our displays of dedication and grit. In 2011, we managed to turn a 2-7 start to a season into an 8-8-2 record, only losing once in the final nine games. We fought for every result, and found a way to win games with fewer resources than other programs in the GNAC."
 
Thomas Chameraud (Moe's Teammate 2011-2012): "He was our rock my senior year. It was very difficult to pass him. He had strong physical abilities and was very good with his feet. We didn't concede too many goals that year, and he was a big part of that."
 
Alex Balog (Moe's Assistant Coach from 2011-2012): "Great leader. He was vocal, led by example, and also knew when it was time to tell the coaches he needed a little time off. He was great on the ball, was a warrior, and is a guy who truly exemplifies the values of MSUB men's soccer. He is a former player I am proud to call a friend."
 
Dan McNally (Moe's Head Coach 2010-2012): "Outstanding leader and an NCAA D1-caliber player. The best defender in the GNAC in 2012."
 
Where is he now? Moe is the boys director of coaching and head coach at Northwest United in Bellingham, Washington. He is also a substitute teacher at Bellingham Public Schools.
 

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Rhys Lambert
Position: Center Back
Hometown: Gold Coast, Australia
Playing Years: 2014-2016 (3 seasons)

Feature Story: Australian Lambert A Major Piece Of Turnaround For MSUB Soccer (Jeff Bersch/Billings Gazette - 10/5/2016)
 
The epitome of bleeding Navy & Gold, Lambert was a one-of-a-kind personality, leader, and captain during three memorable campaigns on the pitch. Starting 44 matches and filling whatever gap was needed – whether it be midfield or as a center back – Lambert was a second-team all-conference pick in 2014 and followed that season by captaining the squad for two years.
 
Lambert totaled seven goals including three game-winners during his time as a Yellowjacket, while playing upwards of 1,100 minutes in each of his three seasons. What he'll be most remembered for however are his leadership actions off the field, including pioneering the Yellowjackets' adoption of Sebastien Easton in the fall of 2014 through the Team Impact program. Lambert's selfless attitude and inclusive mentality were traits that earned his teammates' respect both on and off the field.


 
Thomas Chameraud (Lambert's Assistant Coach 2014-2016): "Great teammate, great captain, great character. Rhys is someone who always gave it his all, whether in practice or in games."
 
Alex Balog (Lambert's Head Coach from 2014-2016): "Rhys is someone who exemplifies what we want at MSUB and in the program. He played a huge role in making Sebastien Easton feel at home in our program and making him feel like he was part of our team during the worst time in his life. What I'll remember on the field most was his relentlessness, and how hard he wanted to work for the team."
 

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Luca Battistotti
Position: Right Back
Hometown: San Rocco al Porto, Italy
Playing Years: 2017-Current (4 seasons)

Feature Story: Italian Duo Battistotti, Folla Anchor Yellowjacket Defense
 
Joining Shantik Bedrosian as the other current Yellowjacket to make the all-decade list, Battistotti will look forward to his senior campaign with the 'Jackets after earning all-conference recognition in each of his first three collegiate seasons. A second-team all-GNAC defender in 2019, Battistotti captained the squad for the second straight season and was an academic all-conference pick for the second straight year as well.
 
Battistotti naturally took on a leadership role from the moment he set foot on campus at MSUB, starting all 18 matches as a true freshman and running the total number of starts to 55 with one year left to play. During that time he has rarely left the pitch, averaging 87.6 minutes per match as a steady force on the back line. Battistotti has also contributed significantly offensively, with a pair of goals and seven assists spread throughout his three years in the Navy & Gold.


 
Battistotti on what stands out about his MSUB team: "It is a family environment. There is a lot of diversity having people coming from all over the world, but we connect very well."
 
Thomas Chameraud (Battistotti's Assistant Coach 2017-2018, Head Coach 2019-Current): "Luca is someone who cares a lot about the program, has a really high work ethic, and is a very good player and captain for our team. He sets a good example for the younger players."
 
Alex Balog (Battistotti's Head Coach 2017-2018): "When it comes to the approach of being part of a team, Luca is someone who has the ability to take a step back and look at what is important for his teammates and the program as a whole. That is a trait you don't see very often in young guys like him."
 

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Samuele Folla
Position: Center Back
Hometown: Udine, Italy
Playing Years: 2018-2019 (2 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Italian Duo Battistotti, Folla Anchor Yellowjacket Defense

One of the most gifted players to suit up for the 'Jackets, both physically and technically, Folla was dominant on the Yellowjackets' back line for his two seasons in the program. After nabbing honorable mention all-GNAC in 2018, he was a first-team all-conference performer in his final year in the fall of 2019.
 
In total, Folla started 34 matches while averaging 84.8 minutes per game, and he helped the defensive unit author eight shutouts. Offensively Folla also managed to contribute a goal, and it was a big one as it came during a 3-2 road victory over rival Seattle Pacific University on Oct. 20, 2018.


 
Thomas Chameraud (Folla's Assistant Coach 2018, Head Coach 2019): "Samuele brought experience and calmness to our back line. He is someone who understands the game very well, and I have no doubt he is going to be a successful coach at some point."
 
Alex Balog (Folla's Head Coach 2018): "The quiet, cerebral guy who in terms of understanding the game was probably the best player I had at MSUB. He was a really good fit. He was a good bridge between coaches and players because of his experience. He is a player who, in terms of outlook on life, I identify with."
 

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Cameron Lee
Position: Center Back
Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa
Playing Years: 2012-2015 (4 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Cameron Lee Rises As Leader Throughout Career As Yellowjacket

Another four-year starter, Lee was the heart and soul of the Yellowjacket back line from 2012-15. He played alongside Moe as a freshman, before carrying on the torch for three more successful years as a leader and captain of the squad. Lee's name sits in the record book at No. 4 with 70 games played, starting all but two during his tenure.
 
Lee was another Yellowjacket who could be relied upon to rarely leave the pitch, as he averaged 87.7 minutes per game and played the full time in 53 matches.


 
Lee on the MSUB team culture: "All four years I was in the team, the comradery and unity will stick with me forever. We had a brotherhood on and off the field. Being able to partake in off-field community projects was so intrinsically rewarding, as Coach Balog in particular taught all of us boys how to develop into young men. Helping the likes of Sebastien and Trevor (Wildberger) in their respective battles is something that will stay with me forever."
 
Thomas Chameraud (Lee's Teammate 2012, Assistant Coach 2013-2015): "Very smart player with some very good foot skills and physical attributes. Someone who cares for the program a lot and who definitely left a mark."
 
Alex Balog (Lee's Assistant Coach 2012, Head Coach 2013-2015): "Absolute warrior. Someone who had the ability to lead by example on the field. Someone who, for the benefit of the team, was ok to accept different types of roles on the field. As a coach, that was something I always appreciated about him. He was adaptable, didn't complain, and put everything he had in the tank out there."
 
Where is he now? Lee resides in United Kingdom, Isle of Man and is a café manager at Cycle 360.
 

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Matt Brink
Position: Right Back
Hometown: Billings, Montana
Playing Years: 2011-2014 (4 seasons)

Feature Story: Emerick, Brink Pave The Way For Yellowjacket Men's Soccer
 
Like his forward counterpart Kyle Emerick, Brink was a prideful hometown player who earned every minute of his four-year career as a starter on the defensive unit. In total Brink started 58 matches, while playing in 65 games patrolling the flanks.
 
Brink shared the sentiments of then-teammate Thomas Chameraud, that the team's 3-0 performance in Hawaii during his 2012 sophomore campaign stood out as most memorable. Brink started 16 matches that season, playing a key role in the Yellowjackets' top record of the decade at 11-5-2 overall.


 
Brink on playing at the college level: "I am glad I was able to play all four years, and nearly every game with no injuries. As a right back, having the trust of the coaching staff to be a constant regular in the starting back four was a personal achievement every year."
 
Thomas Chameraud (Brink's teammate 2011-2012, Assistant Coach 2013-2014): "Matt was gifted with the physical attributes of speed and stamina. He was a difficult defender to pass and was hot-headed at times, but he always gave it his all on the field."
 
Alex Balog (Brink's Assistant Coach 2011-2012, Head Coach 2013-2014): "Matt and Kyle (Emerick) are two of my favorite players to ever play for MSUB. They were absolute work horses, and would have given everything for the team. To have those two guys during their time as flagship players impart our program to the community meant a lot. If you look at the involvement of parents and families, they left their mark on the program not just as individuals, for many years to come."
 
Dan McNally (Brink's Head Coach from 2011-2012): "I coached Matt in club soccer from the age of 13. He was a tough defender and he could get forward really well. A very solid player."
 
Where is he now? Brink currently lives in Hamburg, Germany, where he is a marketing manager at A.C.S. and a freelance web designer.
 

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Oliver Posarelli
Position: Center Back
Hometown: Verona, Italy
Playing Years: 2016-2017 (2 seasons)
 
Posarelli contributed two solid years on the pitch for the 'Jackets, before transferring to Division I Marquette University. The trusty center back was a first-team all-GNAC pick during his sophomore season, and started 36 matches over his two seasons. While consistently guiding the back line was his specialty, one of Posarelli's standout moments was a two-goal performance in a 3-0 shutout win over Cal Baptist in a home match on Sept. 15, 2016 during his freshman season.


 

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About the MSUB All-Decade Team Project
The top student-athletes from each of Montana State University Billings' current varsity athletic teams from 2010-2019 have been selected, and 14 all-decade teams will be revealed throughout the course of the fall of 2020. Each sport's all-decade team is comprised of the top-performing student-athletes, with weight given to individual athletic achievement and accolades, team achievement, academic achievement, as well as community service. For more information on MSUB's all-decade project, and to view each sport's all-decade teams, view the all-decade project webpage online here.