RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Montana State University Billings men's soccer team continued its winning ways to begin the season Wednesday night, taking down South Dakota Mines 3-0 in the team's first road game of the season.
 
After an uneventful start to the match, which was delayed due to air quality, the Yellowjackets (3-0) controlled possession and pace for a majority of the game and won the ball back all over the pitch with their aggressive defensive press. The Jackets outshot the Hardrockers (0-3) 16-6 in the game, and had eight shots on goal compared to South Dakota Mines's two. It was the second win of the season for MSUB against South Dakota Mines, who they defeated last week 2-1 in Billings.
 
"It's a good result for the team," said MSUB head coach Aaron Champenoy. "But more importantly a second straight clean sheet. We started a bit slow, but grew into the game well, and it really felt like we were in control for most of the match after the 25^th minute. We need to take this momentum we've built, and get ready for some tough non-conference games ahead of us on the road."
 
The Jackets threatened to score in just the first minute of the game, when Kamden Beck drove through the Hardrocker's back line and fired a shot low into the right corner, which would collide with the post and bounce off the line, where it was collected by goalkeeper Kole Villescas. But MSUB struggled to create chances in the early stages, while South Dakota Mines had a pair of opportunities, which were well defended by the Yellowjacket's backline. The scoring would open near the end of the 12^th minute though, when the ball would slip from Villescas's hand while attempting to throw it to one of his teammates. It instead ended up at the feet of Ty Vohland, who quickly tapped it home to give MSUB the lead. The Jacket's threatened as they grew into the game, with a shot late in the half from Ryushiro Morita going off the crossbar, but despite five of their eight shots in the half going on goal, MSUB found itself up just 1-0 going into the half.
 
The Yellowjackets pushed for another goal as soon as the second half whistle blew, with two blocked shots in the box in the first ten minutes of the second period of play. It would take them until the 64^th minute to break through, when after a tackle in the midfield from Callum Bryan, the senior would drive the ball forward, laying it off for freshman Rhys Benjamin. The forward from Porthcawl, Wales took a clever touch with the outside of his right foot, which chipped the Hardrocker's keeper before hitting off the bottom of the crossbar and finding it's way into the back of the net to double the Jacket's advantage. They wouldn't have long to wait for another goal either, with Benjamin once again involved. This time his pressure forced an errant touch from Villescas in the box, and the ball found it's way to Ryan Hanley, who slotted the ball into an open goal for a 3-0 lead, which MSUB would hold to until the full-time whistle, cementing their third win in a row.
 
Vohland finished with four shots in the game, three of which were on goal, including his opener. Midfielder Bjarne Fedkenhauer also threatened in the game, with three shots, two on goal. Hanley and Benjamin each had two shots with one on goal, while defender Guillermo Gonzalez put his lone chance in the game on frame. Goalkeeper Jeremi Campagnolo finished with two saves.
 
THE BUZZ: Bryan was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… It was the second consecutive selection for the senior… The Yellowjacket's have allowed one goal in their opening three games… Benjamin's goal was the first in his collegiate career… Approximately 1:52 passed between his goal, and Hanley's… the goal was the fifth in Hanley's MSUB career, after scoring four in 2022.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets remain in Rapid City for their next game, a neutral site game against Texas A&M International. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 PM on Friday, September 8^th. Live video will be available here, and live statistics will be available here.