Yellowjackets Down Biola for Third Straight Win (September 5, 2003)

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The MSU Billings men’s soccer team is off to its best start ever after defeating Biola 2-1 on Friday at the Westminster College Tournament.  Thomas Pertuit (Jr., Billings, MT) continued his outstanding play, scoring the first goal of the game and assisting on the game-winner.  Pertuit has scored 10 points in the last two games, helping the Yellowjackets improve to 3-1-1.

Pertuit broke a scoreless halftime tie with a goal at 65:34 after receiving a long pass over the top from Patrick Boltz (So., Kaneohe, HI).  It was Pertuit’s fourth goal in the tournament and Boltz’s first point of the season. 

“We had Thomas in the same roll last year,” said head coach Doug Seigle.  “This year he’s stepped up as more of a leader and is just getting in the right spots.  He worked really hard in the off-season and came into camp in great shape.  That’s paying off because he’s able to create opportunities and finish when he gets the chance."

The Eagles answered with a goal just 1:03 later to tie the game at 1-1.  Yacine Zerizef (So. Casper, WY) was in goal for the Jackets.  He gave up one goal and registered two saves in 90 minutes. 

With less than five minutes on the clock, Pertuit again forced the action, delivering a cross to Dustin Kono (So., Aberdeen, SD) who found the back of the net with the game winning goal at 85:35.  It was Kono’s first goal of the season and Pertuit’s third assist. 

The Yellowjackets will face host Westminster College Saturday afternoon.  A win would give MSUB the tournament title and a school record winning streak.  Friday’s win marked just the third time in the program’s short history that the Yellowjackets have won three games in a row. 

“We’ve still got a lot of guys banged up,” said Seigle, “so we’ve been relying on team play.  Almost everyone but the backup goalkeeper is playing because some guys can’t go for 45 minutes at a time right now.  We fought hard for everything today.  We were in a little better shape than they were and we kept our poise when we needed to.”