Jacket Men Notch First Win (9/4/05)

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The Montana State-Billings men’s soccer team recorded its first win of the season on Sunday, defeating Westminster College 2-1 at Westminster’s own tournament.  The win improved the Yellowjackets’ record to 1-4-0 and gave head coach Dan McNally his first head coaching victory.

Three of the Yellowjackets’ four losses this season have been by one goal, including a pair of 3-2 losses at this weekend’s tournament.  Cal State-Monterey Bay knocked off the Jackets 3-2 in double overtime on Friday.  On Saturday MSU Billings gave up a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Colorado-Colorado Springs.

“The players have worked so hard for this victory,” said McNally after the win.  “Two of our losses have come in the last 2-3 minutes of games which at times can be very disheartening.  But give great credit to the players.  We have never lost belief in what we’re trying to do.  Today we played with confidence and quality.  We have an excellent team spirit, and if we continue to play the way we’re playing right now, we’ll have a good season.  I’m proud of the players today.”

Just as they did on Saturday, the Yellowjackets built a 2-0 lead in the second half.  Jesse Spann (Sr., Rock Springs, WY) opened the scoring in the 37^th minute, successfully converting a penalty kick for his first goal of the season.  MSU Billings took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

The Yellowjackets went ahead 2-0 on Dustin Kono’s (Sr., Aberdeen, SD) goal in the 68^th minute.  Kono was assisted by Nick Slanina (Fr., Rapid City, SD).  The goal was Kono’s fourth of the tournament after scoring twice on Friday and once on Saturday.  With goals in three consecutive games, he tied the school record held by Thomas Pertuit and Mark Cipolla.

Unlike the previous two games, the Yellowjacket defense was able to hold on down the stretch on Sunday.  Goalkeeper Jess Feldtman (Sr., Lander, WY) made 10 saves in the game.  Westminster out-shot the Jackets a total of 22-12 with a 11-8 shots on goal advantage.  The Griffins’ lone goal came from Xadier Gonzalez in the 86^th minute.

“Dustin Kono has been excellent this weekend,” said McNally.  “He could be a match winner for us this season.  Jess Feldtman continues to make crucial saves at crucial times.”

MSU Billings will hit the road again next weekend for a pair of games in Bismarck.  The Jackets face University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, September 10, in a neutral site game.  They then take on University of Mary on Sunday.  The Yellowjackets will be searching for their first back-to-back wins since the 2003 season.  Those wins also came in Bismarck in September of 2003 when MSU Billings defeated Mary and Morningside University.

The Yellowjackets open their 2005 home schedule on September 21 when they host nationally-ranked University of the Incarnate Word.  The Cardinals were ranked fifth in the preseason national poll, but dropped their first two games of the season.