Thursday, September 17, 2015

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: Montana State Billings scored 10 goals in the MSUB Rimrock Classic. Ricardo Palomino scored six of those goals, with four coming in one game, tying multiple records in Yellowjacket history. Julian Toenges had four assists and a goal himself as the Yellowjackets are the early goal leaders in the GNAC.

FALCONS IN THE RANKINGS: Seattle Pacific has started 4-0 and moved up to No. 4 in the NSCAA Division II Top-25 Poll. The Falcons have shutout each of their four opponents, allowing just six total shots on net combined.

GNAC COUNTRY: All eight teams will be playing Saturday in the first conference games of the season. Seattle Pacific looks to make if five-straight shutouts at Saint Martin's and Northwest Nazarene looks to get back in the rankings, hosting Concordia.

THIS WEEK'S GNAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSE
Ricardo Palomino, Montana State Billings
F • 6-2 • Sophomore • Puebla, Mexico

Palomino was named the offensive most valuable player of the Rimrock Classic after scoring six goals in two matches. He scored four goals in the Yellowjackets’ 5-1 victory over South Dakota Mines on Sunday, two of which came in the first 10 minutes of the match. Palomino opened the tournament with two goals in the team’s 5-0 shutout of Carroll (Mont.). Also Nominated: Ian Adams (Seattle Pacific), Migel Bartolo (Mary), Abraham Placito (Northwest Nazarene).

DEFENSE
Ryan Foo, Northwest Nazarene
GK • 6-2 • Junior • San Jose, Calif.

Foo finished with 12 saves in two matches as the Crusaders split their road trip last week. He made four saves in NNU’s 3-1 win at BYU-Hawaii on Tuesday and then made eight saves, including one on a penalty kick, in a 1-0 loss on Saturday at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Also Nominated: Cody Guthrie (Concordia), Cody Lang (Seattle Pacific), Tom Saltwell (Montana State Billings), Mitch Taveira (Mary).

AROUND THE GNAC
CONCORDIA
- The Cavaliers won their lone match of the week 3-1 over Linfield.
- Started their first GNAC season with 2-1-0 record.
- Second in the conference in goals per game (2.00).
- Face Northwest Nazarene Saturday in their GNAC match.

MARY
- The Marauders won their first game and earned a tie at the MSUB Rimrock Classic to advance their record to 1-2-1.
- Have averaged the most shots per game (16.75) in the GNAC.
- Host Montana State Billings Saturday to begin conference season.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
- Outscored opponents 10-1 at MSUB Rimrock Classic.
- Ricardo Palomino scored six goals in two games, taking an early conference lead in points (12).
- Lead the league with 33 total points.
- Face Mary to kick-off conference play.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
- The Crusaders dropped their first game of the season, but responded with another win to push record to 4-1.
- Rank sixth in the West Region.
- Second in the GNAC in goals against average (0.59).
- Host Concordia in first GNAC match Saturday.
- Travel to Seattle Pacific on Sept. 24 in clash of top-two GNAC teams in early rankings.

SAINT MARTIN’S
- Lost 2-1 in only match of the week against Pacific.
- Saints have begun season 1-2-1.
- Lead the conference in saves (23).
- Host undefeated Seattle Pacific in opening GNAC match.

SEATTLE PACIFIC
- Four-straight shutouts to start season, tying program record.
- Allowed a combined six shots on goal in four games.
- Moved up to No. 4 in NSCAA Div. II Top-25.
- Started season with three-straight 1-0 wins before defeating Cal State East Bay 3-0.
- Travel to Saint Martin’s Saturday.

SIMON FRASER
- Even record of 1-1-1 in non-conference play.
- Have not played since Sept. 9, winning 3-0 over Cal State San Bernardino.
- Travel to face Western Washington Saturday.

WESTERN WASHINGTON
- The Vikings finished the week 1-1 with a double-overtime win over Cal State East Bay.
- Sit at 2-1-1 to begin season.
- Third in the conference in goals against average (0.69).
- Host Simon Fraser in conference home opener.

GAME RECAPS
THURS., SEPT. 10
SEATTLE PACIFIC 1, NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR: The Falcons completed their third-straight shutout to begin the season, allowing just the second shot on net in three matches. Stephen MacDonald scored the lone goal in the 13th minute, allowing the defense to cruise to victory. The Falcons put just two shots on net, but it was enough to earn the road victory. Box Score

WESTERN WASHINGTON 1, CAL STATE EAST BAY 0 (2OT): The Vikings scored a golden goal in the 104th minute to remain undefeated with a 2-0-1 record. Greyden Sauders potted the lone goal on a cross from Conner Pichette. The Vikings were outshot 18-8, but held an advantage in shots on goal 6-4. Tyler Visten had four saves in the shutout. Box Score

FRI., SEPT. 11
MARY 1, SOUTH DAKOTA MINES 1 (2OT): The Marauders played their best match of the season up to that point, outshooting their opponents 21-10. The team could not capitalize enough, putting just six of their shots on net. Christoffer Nogueira scored the lone goal for the Marauders in the 11th minute, taking an early 1-0 lead. Mitch Taveira recorded six saves over 110 minutes in the tie. Box Score

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS 5, CARROL COLLEGE 0: The Yellowjackets hosted the MSUB Rimrock Classic, winning their first match handily 5-0. Ricardo Palomino scored two goals and Julian Toenges added a goal and assist in what would be an impressive weekend of games for the duo. David Loeung scored the game-winner in the sixth minute, later adding an assist. The Yellowjackets held a 16-10 shot advantage and 9-4 in shots on goal. Goalkeeper Tom Lohmann made three saves in the win. Box Score

CONCORDIA 3, LINFIELD 1: The Cavaliers cruised to a 3-0 victory over Linfield, coming to within three seconds of a shutout. The Cavaliers got on the board early and often, scoring three first half goals. Cody Guthrie, Brady Sanders and Tyler Hoiem were the goal scorers, while the goalkeeper duo of Mitch McCaw and Grant Alcorn needed just four saves. Linfield did hold the shot advantage 19-16, but the Cavaliers capitalized on their chances, putting seven compared to five shots on net. Box Score

SAT., SEPT. 12
NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR 2, WESTERN WASHINGTON 0: The Vikings struggled to maintain possession of the ball in their first loss of the season. After an 18th minute goal from NDNU, the Vikings held their opponents off the scoreboard for almost 60 minutes before the second goal put the match out of reach. Tyler Visten made six saves. Box Score

CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS 1, NORTHWEST NAZARENE 0: In an evenly-played match, the difference proved to be a third minute goal scored by CSUDH. After the early goal, neither team could find the back of the net as the Crusaders dropped their first match of the season. Ryan Foo made eight saves including one on an early penalty kick to keep the Crusaders within striking distance. Northwest Nazarene put seven shots on goal, but could beat the opposing goalkeeper. Box Score

PACIFIC 2, SAINT MARTIN’S 1: The Saints took 27 shots for the match, but could only put three on net in a match of missed opportunities. The Saints’ defense held Pacific to just five shots and three on net, but allowed two of those shots into the back of their goal. Kyle Witzell scored in the 75th minute to pull the Saints to within one goal, but the comeback could not be completed. Box Score

SEATTLE PACIFIC 3, CAL STATE EAST BAY 0: The Falcons ended their non-conference season with their fourth-straight shutout to begin the year, tying a program record for most shutouts to begin a season. The defense has been the focal point for the Falcons, who allowed a season-high four shots on goal. The shots did not matter however, as goalkeeper Cody Lang stopped each one. Danny Olivas, Keenan dePinna and Gabe Kellum scored the goals for the Falcons, who moved up to No. 4 in the Top-25 Poll. Box Score

SUN., SEPT. 13
MARY 3, CARROLL COLLEGE 2: The Marauders won their first match of the season on the strength of three first-half goals. Migel Bartolo scored the first and third goals for the Marauders and the defense held on after an offensive push mid-way through the match by Carroll. Mary held a slight advantage in shots, 16-12, and shots on goal 6-4. James Liddiard added the second goal for the Marauders and Ludvig Rhodin made two saves in his first win. Box Score

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS 5, SOUTH DAKOTA MINES 1: Ricardo Palomino scored four goals for the Yellowjackets in one of the top offensive performances in MSUB history. Palomino netted six goals in two games, earning him GNAC Offensive Player of the Week. Julian Toenges added three assists, all on Palomino goals. The Yellowjackets fell behind early in the third minute, but rolled off five-straight goals in a dominant performance. The team held a 23-5 shot advantage for the match, advancing to 2-1-1. Box Score

TUES., SEPT. 15
NORTHWEST NAZARENE 1, DOMINICAN 0: The Crusaders scored an 89th minute goal by Abraham Placito to send them off in victory after a scoreless match looked to be headed for overtime. The Crusaders put just five shots on net, but held Dominican to four shots. Ryan Foo earned the shutout in his fourth win, making four saves while earning GNAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.