BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Montana State University men's soccer team battled hard on the road, earning a 0-0 tie against Western Washington University with an impressive defensive effort in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
The Yellowjackets (4-6-2, 1-4-1 GNAC) spent a majority of the game defending, with the Vikings (4-5-3, 1-3-2 GNAC) outshooting them by a total of 13-4 in the game, and 7-1 in shots on target. But a number of impressive tackles and saves would help the 'Jackets keep the hosts off the scoreboard, earning the clean sheet and giving the Yellowjackets a much-needed point in conference play.
It was a slow start to the match offensively for both teams, with neither team putting a shot on target until the 24
th minute, when a Viking shot forced
Jeremi Campagnolo to make his first save in the match. The 'Jackets would have to wait until the 37
th minute to find their first attempt on goal, their lone effort on goal in the match when
Bjarne Fedkenhauer struck the ball to the bottom right corner. But that effort would be saved by the Vikings, and after two more saves as the half wound to a close, the Yellowjackets found their way into the break with a scoreless tie.
The second half would see the Vikings begin to grab control of the match, allowing just one shot from the Yellowjackets while controlling the majority of the possession and chances in the half. But MSUB would hold firm, with the backline making countless tackles and blocks to prevent the Vikings from taking the lead. If the ball did make it past them, Campagnolo was in top form all night, making saves when called upon, including an impressive diving effort on a ball struck to the top right corner with around 19 minutes left in the match to keep Western Washington scoreless. The Vikings would have a few more late opportunities, but the Yellowjackets defense continued to snuff out their efforts until the final whistle, picking up the draw and the clean sheet, the first scoreless defensive effort for MSUB since their third game of the season against South Dakota Mines.
Campagnolo made a total of seven saves in the match for the 'Jackets. Fedkenhauer managed just the one shot on goal, while
Callum Bryan,
Ty Vohland, and
Ryushiro Morita totaled the Yellowjackets other shots.
THE BUZZ: Campagnolo was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… the clean sheet was his third of the season, and the fifth of his MSUB career, moving the senior into a tie for sixth in program history… freshman
Sam Kemmer started the match for the Yellowjackets, the first start of his collegiate career…
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets head north of the border for their next conference match, when they take on Simon Fraser this Saturday, October 21 at 6 PM PDT (7 PM MDT). Live video of the match can be
found here, and live statistics can be
found here.
