BILLINGS, Mont. – An 11th minute goal from Jack Jarrett highlighted a game of otherwise missed opportunities for the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team on Saturday evening at Herb Klindt Field, as the Yellowjackets settled for a 1-1 draw against Rocky Mountain College in exhibition play.
 
The Yellowjackets out-shot the Battlin' Bears 12-9, and placed eight attempts on frame, but fell victim to narrow misses throughout the match. "We were a little disappointed with the result to be honest, and I thought we should have been up by two or three at halftime," said MSUB head coach Aaron Champenoy. "We talked about not giving up set pieces, so to give up the penalty was a little bit unfortunate. We will take the draw for right now, but it was a game we expected to win."
 
The Bears equalized by virtue of a penalty kick – their lone tally among their five shots on frame in the game.
 
The Yellowjackets had the first clear scoring chance four minutes into the match, but RMC goalkeeper Jorge Villasenor smothered a shot by Jarrett from close range. "Jeremie (Briquet) was big all day and was making big runs," said Jarrett. "He found me earlier in the game and I should have finished, so I was just glad I got another opportunity. He has by far been the best player for us in the midfield."
 
Jeremie Briquet put his skill on display in the 11th minute, embarking on a streaking run through the midfield and into the attacking third. The junior slotted a well-weighted through ball towards the box, and Jarrett finished a low shot inside the back post on his first touch. "It's like a dream come true," Jarrett said regarding Briquet's through ball that led to the goal. "I couldn't be more grateful to Jeremie, and it's something we have been working on in practice."
 
"It was a great goal," Champenoy said. "It was a really well-weighted ball for Jack to run onto, and it was good to see Jack react with a good, confident finish."
 
Ryan Hanley nearly doubled MSUB's lead in the 21st minute, after just beating Villasenor to a through ball and touching it past him. His left-footed strike from a tight angle missed just wide of the left goal post however, as the Bears dodged a bullet.
 
A perfectly placed through ball off the foot of Callum Bryan nearly led to a brace 15 minutes before halftime, as Trey Draayer found the foot of Briquet at the top of the box. Briquet curled a one-time effort towards the upper-left corner of the net, and a leaping, one-handed save from Villasenor was required to keep it out of the net.
 
Jeremi Campagnolo came through with his first big save of the match a minute later, guarding his near post well on a shot from point-blank range. The first year Yellowjacket goalkeeper handled two ensuing corner kicks and a shot curling towards the left post to keep the Bears out of the net.
 
With less than 60 seconds to go before halftime, the Bears nearly equalized as a shot by Igor Soares deflected off the MSUB back line and rattled off the crossbar.
 
The 'Jackets picked up on the front foot at the outset of the second half, with Draayer blasting a one-time shot on target that Villasenor deflected over the crossbar with a dive.
 
Rocky equalized midway through the second half, when Igor Soares tucked a powerful penalty shot into the lower-right corner of the net.
 
A prime equalizing chance came with 12 minutes left, when Hanley found himself with space at the top of the box. After his strike was saved, a difficult second effort off the foot of Jarrett towards an open net carried over the bar. It proved to be the final big chance of the game, as neither side put a dangerous attempt on frame in the closing minutes.
 
MSUB finished its preseason with an unblemished record, after a scrimmage against Northwest College last Saturday and a 3-0 exhibition triumph over Carroll College earlier in the week on Tuesday. "The guys are doing well," Champenoy responded when asked to assess the team's three preseason contests. "We have a long road to go and a lot to work on but the guys are doing well with a new system and a new coach. We need to improve from this match, and get ready for the match against Providence in our home opener next Sunday."
 
"After our first game against Northwest (College) we had some things to figure out, and today we were just a few opportunities away from scoring three or four," said Jarrett. "Last season was really good to get my feet under me, and this season I'm just glad I get to prove myself. I hope to make a difference in every game that I play."
 
THE BUZZ: Jarrett was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game.
 
NEXT UP: The 2022 regular season kicks off next Sunday with a 4 p.m. match against University of Providence. Live coverage for the season opener will be available online here.