2006 Men’s Soccer Wrap Up (11/7/06)

BILLINGS, MT – Second year Montana State-Billings men’s soccer coach Dan McNally led his young team to a 5-11-2 finish for the season and although the team struggled to find its offensive stride, the Yellowjackets continued its tradition of being a strong team defensively. 

“The program made significant progress this season,” said Yellowjackets head men’s soccer coach Dan McNally.  “We developed strong leadership within the squad and our performances on the field were very encouraging.  Unfortunately our overall record reflects the fact that we lost several close games.”

The Yellowjackets started the season with a three-game road trip to Colorado playing games against Colorado State-Pueblo, Colorado Christian, and Regis University.  The games against CSU-Pueblo and Colorado Christian resulted in double overtime ties.  The final game of the trip against Regis University saw the Jackets fall 2-0.

The Yellowjackets returned home for the first part of September to host four games, three of which were against Heartland Conference foe.  University of the Incarnate Word, who would go on to become the HLC Champions, dominated the field overtaking the Jackets 4-0.  Bouncing back from the loss just two days later, the Yellowjackets picked up their first win of the season against St. Mary’s to stand at 1-2-2 overall.

“The 2006 program had no senior student-athletes and as a result we lacked experience in critical positions and situations,” said McNally.  “This definitely contributed to the team losing a number of close games on the road.”

The Yellowjackets would drop their next four games, including two on the road in Texas before rebounding with three straight wins at the midpoint of the season.  The Jackets won by a convincing 5-1 score in a neutral game against College of the Southwest in Odessa, Texas.  Four days later in Billings, the Jackets scored four goals in a shutout win over Colorado Christian.  Those two games against College of the Southwest and Colorado Christian would count for half of the team’s total goals for the season.  In the game against University of Mary the Jackets edged the Marauders 1-0 for the teams’ third consecutive win, a feat that had not been accomplished since September of 2003.

“One of our best performances of the season cam in the defeat against Metro State in overtime,” added McNally.  “Although we lost the game 2-1, we performed very well against a team that made the National Tournament.  This shows our improvement and our ability to compete against the best teams in the country.  In our 4-0 win against Colorado Christian we played some great soccer.  It was our best attacking display of the season and an important regional win.”

A heart breaking 2-1 overtime loss to Metro State College in early October started what would become a five-game losing streak.  The Jackets would manage just two goals in the following four-games.  With one game remaining in the season, the Yellowjackets prevailed against University of Texas – Permian Basin, winning 1-0 to finish the season on a positive note.

Through the first nine games of the season the Jackets were 1-6-2 for .170.  Finding their stride, the Jackets rallied the final nine games to finish just under .500.  Was the second half of the season a preview of what the Jackets can do in the 2007 season?

“All the returning student-athletes will benefit from their experience in 2006 and we are returning a strong group of players for 2007,” said McNally.  “In 2006 we built the foundations of a strong program.  Sam Charles had an outstanding freshman season, said Coach McNally.  He led the team in goals and points and most coaches in our region would love to have a player of Sam’s ability.  Another freshman, Tom Milroy, had a very consistent season in numerous positions.  He is a very strong player and he has the potential to be on the best players in our region in the future.” 

“Co-team captain Greg McKeever had a strong season at left back.  He will be a very important player in his senior year,” added McNally.  “Sander Tollefson did a good job in goal during his freshman year.  He established several goalkeeping records.  If he continues to improve, he will have an outstanding collegiate career.  Chris Cornish, the Yellowjackets other co-captain, established himself as a leader this season.  He will have a very important role in 2007."

Five of the teams 11 starters were freshman, but combined for 12 of the teams 18 goals.  In fact, before August, only six of the 20 players on the roster who saw playing time had ever seen each other before the first day of training camp.  With additional experience and team coherence, the Yellowjackets are en route to turning around a program that has had just one winning season dating back to 2001 when that team went 7-7-2.

“I believe 2007 will be a great season for the men’s soccer program,” said McNally.  “We are returning a group of student-athletes that has proved they can compete with the best programs in the region.  We will work hard in the off-season to recruit the two or three players that will help take the program to the next level.  Next season we will have experience, leadership, and talent.  The 2007 season will be an exciting one for the men’s soccer program at MSUB.”

The Yellowjackets placed three players on the 27-member All-Conference team.  Charles and Milroy were named to the Heartland All-Conference first team with Charles picking up Co-Freshman of the Year honors.  Teammate Cornish was named to the All-Conference second team.

Team Season Records set in 2006

• 1.40 goals against average (1^st)

• 0.22 shutout percentage (1^st)

• 4 shutouts in 18 games (1^st)

Team Game Records set in 2006

• 14 points vs. College of SW (4^th)

• 11 points vs. Colorado Christian (T-7^th)

• 5 goals vs. College of SW (3^rd)

• 4 goals vs. Colorado Christian (T-7^th)

• 4 assists vs. College of SW (T-2^nd)

• 3 assists vs. Colorado Christian (T-5^th)

Individual Game Records set in 2006

• Sam Charles, 5 points vs. Colorado Christian (T-5^th)

• Jay Doogan, 2 assists vs. College of SW (T-1^st)

Individual Season Records set in 2006

• Sam Charles, 0.89 points per game (8^th)

• Jay Doogan, 3 assists (T-6^th)

• Sam Charles, 0.39 goals per game (8^th)

• Sam Charles, 7 goals (T-7^th)

• Sander Tollefson, 64 saves (7^th)

• Sander Tollefson, 1.43 goals against average (1^st)

• Sander Tollefson, 0.24 solo shutout percentage (1^st)

• Sander Tollefson, 4 solo shutouts (1^st)

Individual Miscellaneous Records set in 2006

• Jurell Linford, 5^th fastest goal to start a game, 3:20 vs. College of SW

• Matt D’Hont/Sam Charles, 18^th fastest consecutive goals, 5:23 vs. Colorado Christian

• Sander Tollefson, 2^nd most consecutive shutout minutes, 248:08

• Sander Tollefson, 7^th most consecutive shutout minutes, 149:59

Heartland Conference Honors

• Sam Charles, All-Conference First Team, Co-Freshman of the Year

• Tom Milroy, All-Conference First Team

• Chris Cornish, All-Conference Second Team
   

• Sander Tollefson, Defensive POTW, Aug. 21-Aug. 27

• Greg McKeever, Offensive POTW, Aug. 28-Sep. 3

• Erik Andrews, Defensive POTW, Aug. 28-Sep. 3

• Sam Charles, Offensive POTW, Sep. 25-Oct. 1

• Jarred Weisen, Offensive POTW, Oct. 2-Oct. 8
   

• Sam Charles, 3.39 spg (1^st); 16 points (4^th); 7 goals (4^th)

• Jarred Weisen, 7 points (T-10^th); 3 goals (7^th); 0.54 ppg (7^th)

Midwest Region Honors

• Greg McKeever, All-Region First Team