Monday, October 14, 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Montana State Billings men’s soccer team won two road conference matches to improve to 6-4-1 (3-1-0 GNAC) on the season. The Yellowjackets sit alone atop the GNAC standings with nine points and have been selected as the GNAC Team of the Week.

The Yellowjackets completed a 5-1 victory at Saint Martin’s on Thursday then scored a late penalty kick goal to top Seattle Pacific, 1-0, on Saturday.

Saint Martin’s struck first with a goal in the sixth minute of the match but the Yellowjackets responded with five unanswered goals, four of which came in the first half. In the win at Seattle Pacific, a penalty kick goal by Shantik Bedrosian in the 79th minute proved to be the game-winner.

“It was important for us to start the game on the right foot by bringing a lot of intensity,” said head coach Thomas Chameraud about the win over Saint Martin’s. “We conceded a goal right away that could have set us back, but I was proud of the reaction our players had because they put it behind them, followed the game plan, created chances and capitalized on their opportunities.”

Andres Perez earned GNAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season after he scored two goals and had an assist on a third goal in the Yellowjackets’ 5-1 win at Saint Martin’s. He was also involved in the play that resulted in Bedrosian’s game-winning penalty kick at Seattle Pacific.

Bryan Maxwell opened the scoring for Montana State Billings with a goal in the seventh minute in the win at Saint Martin’s. Christian Thode netted two goals of his own in the 13th and 42nd minutes to add to the Yellowjackets’ insurance.

Samuele Folla played all 90 minutes in both matches, anchoring a Yellowjacket defense that limited Saint Martin’s to seven shots on goal and Seattle Pacific to four shots on goal.

Goalkeeper Jessy Martin made five saves at Saint Martin’s then followed with four move saves in the shutout at Seattle Pacific.

“Getting two wins on the road is obviously a good performance,” Chameraud said. “Now we are at home for three weeks and have a big game coming up on Saturday. We will have to prepare well to get a result.”

Montana State Billings will look to win its third straight match, but it’ll be no easy task as the Yellowjackets will host defending GNAC champion Simon Fraser on Saturday.