GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Ryan Hanley's second goal in three days coupled with a sound defensive effort led the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team to its first win of the year with a 1-0 result over Fort Lewis College on Saturday afternoon at Community Hospital Unity Field.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-3) made Hanley's 26th-minute tally hold up as the game winner, and kept the Skyhawks (1-2-2) out of the net for their first shutout of the 2022 campaign. "We knew we were going to have to dig deep today, and we talked about how this game would come down to having a lot of heart," said MSUB head coach Aaron Champenoy, who recorded his first official win in charge of the Yellowjacket program. "I couldn't be prouder. We came out and played brave, and played on the front foot. It's a full team win, and everybody bought into defending, working hard, and playing through being tired. Our back line, Jeremi in goal, and our two midfielders in Viggo and Bjarne played outstanding and limited their quality chances."
 
The Skyhawks created the first set piece try of the afternoon with a corner kick in the sixth minute, but the Yellowjackets handled it defensively and safely got the ball into the hands of goalkeeper Jeremi Campagnolo. An ensuing corner kick resulted in a close-range shot by Gabriel Legendre, but the Yellowjacket back line knocked down the dangerous look towards goal.
 
The Yellowjackets were robbed from what looked to be a certain goal-scoring chance in the 18th minute, when Viggo Rogstrom was played open into the box and took a touch to beat FLC goalkeeper Evan Kowalski. Only a sliding save from Kaden Schufft, who somehow got between Rogstrom's attempt and the open net, kept the game at 0-0. "We could have put it away early on, but luckily it didn't come back to hurt us," Champenoy commented on MSUB's near misses in the opening 45 minutes. "Jeremie (Briquet) was an absolute handful for them in the first half, and they never figured out how to defend him. As a unit the back four did everything they needed to do to help Jeremi (Campagnolo) get the clean sheet."
 
Maximilian Meyer had the Skyhawks' first near miss of the match, beating his defender into the box on the left side and smoking a left-footed try just wide of the far post as the 'Jackets dodged a bullet midway through the first half.
 
MSUB pulled ahead in the 26th minute, when a cross by Rogstrom carried through a wide open goal box. Hanley was there to tuck a right-footed shot inside the left goal post to give MSUB its first lead of the season up 1-0. "We talked a couple games ago about how he needs to play more brave and courageous, and he has taken that to heart the last two games," Champenoy commented on Hanley's play this week. "He has found himself in good positions, and that is going to continue. He is a creative, crafty player, and he hasn't let us down when he's had chances."
 
Less than two minutes after the 'Jackets took the lead, Josh Flanagan came inches away from equalizing as his powerful header attempt on a corner kick sailed just over the crossbar.
 
Kowalski's most important contribution of the first half came with 13 minutes to go, when he slid to his left to deny an on-target shot by Roddy Lewis that was on its way to the back of the net from 10 yards out.
 
MSUB nearly doubled its lead nine minutes into the second half, when it took a sliding kick save from Kowalski to deny a close-range shot by a wide-open Valdemar Fogt. The 'Jackets kept the pressure on, with Taylor Moore landing a right-footed strike on frame that required another diving save from Kowalski.
 
Campagnolo helped keep the lead in his team's hands with a sliding save in the 57th minute, extending to his left to knock down a shot by Legendre from a tight angle. The 'Jackets breathed a collective sigh of relief with 15 minutes to go, when an apparent goal by Legendre was called back as the assistant referee had his flag raised for offside.
 
Kowalski finished with seven saves for the Skyhawks, while the Yellowjacket back line of Kolja Thomas, Guillermo Gonzalez, Bryan Maxwell, and Jack Jarrett protected Campagnolo well with the former three each playing the full 90 minutes.
 
"I'm just really proud of the boys," said Champenoy. "When they could have dropped their heads, they fought back and showed a lot of character. Their reaction today after taking a tough loss Thursday could be a springboard for something special for us to grow on."
 
THE BUZZ: Briquet was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…MSUB is now 2-1 all-time against Fort Lewis College…Thomas made his first collegiate start…Rogstrom's assist was his first collegiate point…senior goalkeeper Kolten Unrein made his first-ever appearance as a field player, suiting up for the final 48 seconds of play.
 
NEXT UP: MSUB has its final non-conference match of the fall at home next Wednesday against South Dakota Mines. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m., with live coverage available online here.