FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Monday, August 22, 2016 ‘Jacket men slip 4-1 at Carroll in exhibition match Monday
Carroll scores three times in the opening 17 minutes, and holds tough for a 4-1 exhibition victory over MSUB in men’s soccer preseason action on Monday. HELENA, Mont. – Three goals in the opening 17 minutes by the Carroll College men’s soccer team set the tone in a preseason exhibition match Monday afternoon at Hansen Stadium, as the host Saints dealt the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets a tough 4-1 defeat. “We had some individual mistakes that cost us today,” said MSUB head coach Alex Balog. “The first half was collectively a poor performance, but in the second half we played with more urgency. We outshot them in the game, but struggled in front of goal.” Jose Porras got the scoring started in just the fourth minute, finishing the first of two assists by Jose Mena in the first 10 minutes. Isaac Bostrom followed with a header goal on a cross by Mena six minutes later to double Carroll’s tally early on.
Rodrigo Portillo gathered in a low cross from Bostrom in the 17th minute, and tucked it past Yellowjacket goalkeeper Caleb VanBlankenstein to effectively put the game out of reach at 3-0. The ‘Jackets managed four shots in the opening period, but could not find the back of the net until after the halftime break. Collecting the ball in the midfield in the 67th minute, Flavio Colasanti found forward Julien Dragomir with a through ball into the box. His effort towards goal beat the Saints’ keeper and gave MSUB life, making the score 3-1 with 24 minutes to play. MSUB kept on the offensive over the next 20 minutes, not allowing a shot and attempting five in that time span. Bernhardt Di Cino had to make saves on back-to-back shots on target from Julian Toenges and Ricardo Palomino in the 74th minute, as he helped keep his team’s lead at two goals. After a penalty kick was awarded to the Saints in the 89th minute, Bostrom converted the shot from 12 yards out to seal off a big win for the home team. Toenges and Palomino tied for the team lead with three shots and a pair on target each. VanBlankenstein and secondhalf keeper Joe Scott each made one save in the match, while Bernhardt denied the ‘Jackets on seven of their eight attempts on frame. MSUB did not allow a corner kick in the 90-minute affair, while winning four on the offensive end. THE BUZZ: Dragomir was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…the Yellowjackets’ record remains at 0-0 after the non-counting exhibition match…the Saints returned the favor of a lopsided defeat to the ‘Jackets, who downed Carroll 5-1 at home in a match at Yellowjacket Field last September. AHEAD: MSUB closes its preseason exhibition slate this Saturday with a home match against Northwest College. Part of a doubleheader with the Yellowjacket women’s team, kickoff will occur at 3:30 p.m. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--