BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings men's soccer team came just short of completing a comeback, falling 3-2 to Rocky Mountain College in the team's first home match of the regular season.
 
Looking to avenge their preseason loss, the Yellowjackets (0-1-1) found themselves needing a rally to get back into the match after going down 2-0 in the first half, and the 'Jackets would manage to fight back and even the score in the second half. But in familiar fashion to the first meeting between these two teams, a late goal by the Battlin' Bears (1-2-0) would prove to be the decider, giving them the season series in the Rimrock Rivalry.
 
Rocky would start on the front foot as the match kicked off, controlling the ball and threatening to score early in the match. They would break through in the 21^st minute with an opening goal from Igor Soares, before doubling their lead seven minutes later when Espior Mayele's strike would find the back of the net. But the 'Jackets would show life in the closing stages on the half, with Sam Kemmer controlling the ball inside the Battlin' Bears box before drawing a foul, giving MSUB a penalty kick to return the lead to one. Guillermo Gonzalez would step up to the spot, slotting it past the keeper calmly to hand the Yellowjackets a lifeline, and halve the lead before the halftime break.
 
In the second half, the Yellowjackets would grow into the game, doubling their shots and beginning to assert their control in multiple stretches of play. The 'Jackets would find some of their best opportunities from set pieces, drawing ten fouls in the second half. After knocking on the door multiple times, the Yellowjackets would finally break through in the 77^th minute, when Gonzalez whipped in a ball off a free kick, finding the head of George Jones who would score in his second consecutive match, and level the game at 2-2 heading into the final stages. But Rocky would derail the MSUB comeback with a goal in the 82^nd minute, when Nolan Finch's shot would sneak past Andrew Schoenen. The ball would hit off the left post before bouncing into the back of the net, with the game's finals shot proving to be the one to push the Battlin' Bears to victory.
 
Gonzalez would finish with the first goal of his MSUB career and an assist, setting a career high for points in a game with three. The junior put his lone shot on goal, as did Jones, who now leads the 'Jackets in goals this season with two. A trio of freshmen collected MSUB's other shots, with Carter Griffith collecting two, and both Arlo Follet and Davis Boogman attempting one. Schoenen finished with three saves, a career best.
 
THE BUZZ: Jones was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets hit the road next week, heading south to Laredo, Texas for a pair of matches. They open the week on Thursday, September 12 at 6 PM CST (5 PM MST). Live video will be available here, and live statistics will be available here.