September 8, 2007

MSUB Led by Charles’ Hat-Trick
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BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings men’s soccer team is reveling in yet another shutout victory.  The Yellowjackets blanked the University of Mary 5-0 Saturday at the College of Technology.  The win moves MSUB to 4-0 on the season, while dropping the Marauders to 0-5.  This was a momentous day for the Yellowjacket men’s soccer program as the team won its fifth-straight game dating back to 2006.  MSUB is off to its best start in the program’s 12-year history with all five wins coming by way of shutout.

Sam Charles

The Yellowjackets dominated the Marauders offensively scoring the eventual game-winner just 9:34 into the contest.  The Jackets’ Scott Dixon (Dorset, England) punched a corner kick to a waiting Sam Charles (Weymouth, England) who headed the ball past the Marauders keeper.

A through ball from Dixon at mid-field followed by a last second pass by Charles allowed Chris Andre (Billings) to tap the ball into the net at the 17:55 mark.  The goal was Andres third of the season.

“This was the best game we have ever played in my three years at MSU Billings,” said Yellowjacket head coach Dan McNally.  “It was a team effort and I think we defended the ball really well in today’s win.”

The Jackets’ Charles scored back-to-back goals in the second half, the first coming from a penalty kick at 63:09.  Just eighteen minutes later Josh Hernandez (Palmdale, Calif.) made a long right to left pass in front of the net allowing Charles to score his first collegiate hat-trick.

Matt D’Hont (Rapid City, S.D.) made good use of his time on the field.  Coming into the game with less than nine minutes left on the clock, D’Hont scored on an empty net as teammate Jarred Weisen (Great Falls) drew Mary’s goalkeeper out of the net to pick up the assist.

The Yellowjackets out-shot Mary 25-1 with nine shots on goal.  Matthew Mitchell (Thornton, Colo.) earned the win in his first collegiate start in goal without needing to make a save, while the Marauders’ Kyle Kovack made four saves on the day.  As a team the Jackets have recorded 482:29 consecutive shutout minutes. 

“I am happy with our performance,” added McNally.  “We are bringing a lot of confidence into our game against Great Northwest Athletic opponent Western Washington on Monday.  It will be a tough game and we respect the Vikings, but if we keep playing the way we have been, we will be a tough team to beat.”

The Yellowjackets host Western Washington University (3-2) Monday to open conference play for both teams.  Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the College of Technology.