BILLINGS, Mont. – Marvin Putu capped a stellar second-half performance with the game-winning goal in the 84th minute Saturday night at Herb Klindt Field, as the senior lifted the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team to a 2-1 exhibition victory over host Rocky Mountain College.
 
With the teams seemingly headed for a 1-1, season-opening draw, Putu took advantage of a heavy touch by an RMC defender inside the six-yard box and stealthily tipped the winning goal into the back of the net. "I think all of us did really well," Putu said. "It wasn't easy to play against this team, because it's a derby and it's our first game of preseason, but I think it was very important to win today. It is going to give us a lot of confidence, and we are looking forward to continuing to improve as a team."
 
Making his MSUB debut, goalkeeper Connor Trapp had perhaps the most important moment of the match, as he dove to deny a free-kick strike by Bears captain Milo Downey to keep MSUB in front as time expired in the match. Though the victory was little more than a morale boost – the Yellowjackets' record remains 0-0 after the exhibition affair – positive moments were abound under the lights on Saturday. "We have just had five days of practice and we brought in 12 new players, so we knew that not everything was going to be perfect," MSUB head coach Thomas Chameraud said after the win. "I like the way we played, and I like the way the guys reacted after we conceded that penalty kick. They didn't panic, they kept to the game plan trying to play out of the back and finding the gaps in the midfield. We were rewarded with two good goals for us in that second half."
 
Senior midfielder Brad Lowes equalized the score at 1-1, less than a minute after the Bears went ahead on a Downey penalty kick early in the second half. Working past a defender with his back to the net, Lowes quickly turned and struck the ball with his left foot before watching it sail over the head of RMC goalkeeper Ryan Cornwall.
 
The Bears had their shot stopper to thank for being level at halftime, as it took a pair of stellar saves in the opening 45 minutes to prevent MSUB from pulling ahead. MSUB's best scoring chance in the opening half came in the closing minutes, when Guillermo Gonzalez drilled a well-weighted through ball from the defensive third over the RMC back line. Halil Yilmaz unleashed a dipping, left-footed volley, and it took a leaping tip-save from Cornwall to keep the ball out of the net.
 
The Yellowjackets had three ensuing corner kicks to close out the half, one of which resulted in a ball that rattled off the right goal post amid a crowded box.
 
Putu electrified the Yellowjacket lineup from the moment he stepped onto the pitch midway through the second half, constantly finding himself on the ball and threading the needle seamlessly from the defensive third to the forward portion of the pitch. "I feel really good, and I think it is due to Tom Ebel's workouts and the rehab he has helped me with," Putu said, citing the work of the Yellowjackets' athletic trainer who was instrumental in his return from a major knee injury in 2018. "Finally I can say that I am back."
 
"Marvin was good, and he made the most out of his time tonight," Chameraud said. "He definitely showed his technical abilities, and he finally found the back of the net today so I am very happy for him."
 
The Yellowjackets won despite being out-shot 8-7, while Georgios Theodoulidis and Trapp combined to make four saves with each playing 45 minutes in goal. Mathias Kjølner was a difference maker during his time on the pitch in the opening half, and led the team with a pair of shots on target including one that glanced off the post.
 
Senior Luca Battistotti captained the team to victory in his role as center back, and the 'Jackets kept constant pressure throughout the match with 11 corner kicks while conceding just two.
 
"I think we created most of the chances during the game – their keeper made two good saves in the first half, and it was just a question of time for us to find the back of the net," Chameraud said. "I am very happy overall with the performance of the team. There is still a lot of work to do, but it was a good first game and we are all happy to be back on the field."
 
THE BUZZ: Putu was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets host the University of Providence on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in their next preseason exhibition contest. Live coverage for the opening home match of the season will be available online here.