BILLINGS, Mont. – Opening their regular season at Yellowjacket field, the Montana State University Billings men's soccer began the 2023 campaign in style, defeating South Dakota Mines 2-1.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-0) scored two goals in the first half, which proved to be enough after the Hardrockers (0-1) managed to pull one back, but could not find the equalizing goal. It was an exciting and physical match from the first whistle, with the two teams combining for 24 fouls, and six yellow cards.
 
"It was a tough night, but we found a way to grind out an ugly win," said Yellowjackets head coach Aaron Champenoy. "That's something we struggled to do last year. Credit to South Dakota Mines for coming out of halftime and putting us under pressure, but we need to respond more quickly and take control of a game like this."
 
MSUB came out hot in the first half, outshooting the Hardrockers 6-1 in the opening 45 minutes. The Jackets limited opportunities, but were not able to complete that final pass in the early stages of the game. That all changed however in the 24^th minute, when Ryushiro Morita picked out Ty Vohland, who shot across the goal and past the outstretched arms of the keeper to sink the Yellowjackets opening goal in the bottom left corner. It was the first career MSUB goal for Vohland, who missed the entirety of 2022 due to injury, and the first assist for Morita, who made his debut for the Yellowjackets in the game.
 
The Jackets wouldn't have to wait long to double their advantage, with Bjarne Fedkenhauer sending in a looping corner which found the head of Kolja Thomas, who knocked it past a mass of Hardrocker players to make it 2-0 before the break.
 
South Dakota Mines would fire back quickly in the second half however, with a cross from Will Mauritsen finding Parker Yocum in the box to cut the lead to 2-1. But despite an increase in pressure from the Hardrockers in the second half, MSUB was able to see out a hard-fought victory to open their season in the win column.
 
"I thought we played well defensively," Champenoy said. "We really limited their chances throughout the game. Unfortunately, we had one slip up and we're punished for it. There were some positive takeaways from tonight, and some things we'll look to improve for tomorrow's match."
 
THE BUZZ: Fedkenhauer was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game, finishing with an assist, and playing every single minute for the Jackets… Thomas has scored in every MSUB game this season, including an exhibition draw against Rocky Mountain College… Several players made their competitive debuts for the Jackets besides Morita, including Josh Nalletamby, Rhys Benjamin, George Jones, Marc-Paul Renaud, Benjamin Banks, and Sam Kemmer.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets play again tomorrow, September 2, at 7 P.M. when they take on Carroll College at Yellowjacket Field. Live video will be available here, and live statistics will be available here. Tickets can be purchased online here.