LAREDO, Tex. – The Montana State University Billings men's soccer team collected it's first win of the 2024 season, taking down Sul Ross State University 2-0 in a neutral site matchup.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-1-1) victory also marked the first career victory for head coach Paul Cuevas, who ascended to the role this July. The Yellowjackets displayed impressive accuracy in front of goal, putting all ten of their shot attempts on target, with a pair of first half attempts finding the back of the net to give the 'Jackets the win over the Lobos (1-1-0).
 
MSUB would attack strong early in the game, scoring on just their second shot of the match, with a strike from midfielder Bjarne Fedkenhauer in the eighth minute giving the junior his first goal of the season, and a 1-0 lead for the 'Jackets early in the match. They wouldn't have to wait long for their second goal either, when in the 26^th minute, the 'Jackets would benefit from a foul in the box, receiving a penalty kick that So Nagano would bury, doubling the Yellowjacket's advantage. The Lobos would pick up their attack as the first half wore to a close, finishing the half with four shots in the final ten minutes, the MSUB defense and goalkeeper Andrew Schoenen would hold firm, with a pair of quality saves and strong defending maintaining a 2-0 Yellowjacket lead heading into the halftime break.
 
The Lobos would come out of the half with offensive momentum again, attempting the half's first four shots. But two more saves from Schoenen would help MSUB continue to keep Sul Ross State off the scoreboard, while the 'Jackets continued to threaten to score again as the half wore on. Nagano had another opportunity from the spot in the 77^th minute that would be saved, but MSUB would get another chance at a penalty kick, with Sam Kemmer converting his chance with just ten seconds left in the match to give the Yellowjackets their second penalty goal of the game, and give the 'Jackets a 3-0 victory.
 
Schoenen would wrap up the game with six total saves, collecting the first shutout of the freshman's young career. Nagano would put three shots on target, leading all MSUB players, while fellow starters Fedkenhauer, Guillermo Gonzalez, Davis Boogman, and George Jones each attempted one. Off the bench, Kemmer and Matteo Bosch had one shot on goal each, while Zach Browning finished with two shots on goal.
 
THE BUZZ: Schoenen was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… Nagano's goal was the second of his Yellowjacket career, and moved him into a tie with George Jones for the team lead in goals… Fedkenhauer's goal was the first of his career… Kemmer's goal was the first of his season, and the second of his MSUB career.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets conclude their stay in Texas with a match on Saturday, September 14 when the 'Jackets face off against Texas A&M International. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 AM MT (12 PM CT), with live video available here, and live statistics available here.