FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Thursday, September 24, 2015 Yellowjackets topple WWU 1-0 with early goal by Palomino
Ricardo Palomino scores his ninth goal in the third minute and MSUB picks up its second straight shutout with a big 1-0 home win over Western Washington. BILLINGS, Mont. – Ricardo Palomino scored his Great Northwest Athletic Conference-leading ninth goal of the season in the third minute and the Montana State University Billings men’s soccer team shut out visiting Western Washington in a 1-0 victory Thursday afternoon at Yellowjacket Field. The win was the fourth in a row for MSUB, which improved to 4-1-1 on the season and 2-0 in conference play. MSUB has recorded shutouts in three of its last four matches, blanking the University of Mary 4-0 last week to open GNAC play after a 5-0 win over Carroll College during the preseason. “This is a superb result for our program,” commented MSUB head coach Alex Balog. “Tactically we were very organized and as a result we gave away very few real goal-scoring opportunities. Offensively we have that spark that can make the difference. I am especially pleased with the team effort as again we had 16 players play at least 10 minutes. Our guys fought like lions and hustled for every ball and every inch of ground. This was a win like we want them; hard work and quality on the ball.”
The Vikings fell to 2-2-2 with the loss, and WWU is now 0-1-1 in GNAC play. The Vikings totaled nine shots in the game and placed four on target, but Yellowjacket goalkeeper Tom Lohmann saved each shot that was on frame. Two of Lohmann’s biggest touches came in the final five minutes as he preserved the shutout. Winning a dangerous free kick just outside of the 18-yard box, Sawyer Preston stood over the ball and fired a strong shot on target. Lohmann timed his jump and pushed the ball just over the crossbar with his fingertips. The Vikings came close to scoring on the ensuing corner kick, but Lohmann again denied a shot and MSUB held onto the lead late. With 10 seconds left on the clock, WWU had a free kick from 30 yards out, but the cross by Viking goalkeeper Tyler Visten was snagged by Lohmann and the ‘Jackets closed out the victory. MSUB totaled a dozen shots on the match, placing three on target. Julian Toenges picked up his fifth assist of the season, as he again connected with Palomino for a goal. Nearly striking within the opening 30 seconds, David Loeung missed the far post by a foot with a shot from 12 yards out almost directly off of the kickoff. MSUB didn’t wait long before capitalizing however, as Palomino tucked home his ninth goal of the season just four minutes into the match. Gathering in a feed from Toenges on the left side of the box, Palomino beat WWU’s keeper with a shot to the far post to give the ‘Jackets the early advantage. Picking up a dangerous opportunity 14 minutes into the second half, Jorge Paez nearly doubled MSUB’s lead. The sophomore fired a powerful shot with the outside of his right foot from inside the box, but it glanced off of the right goal post. THE BUZZ: Lohmann earned St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game honors, as he picked up his second shutout of the season…Palomino entered the match in fourth place in all of Division II in goals, and his previous total of eight was far and away leading the GNAC…Toenges’s fifth assist of the season now ties him for the GNAC lead…MSUB won last season’s first match against WWU 1-0, a shutout win that came on the road in Bellingham, Wash. NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets host Simon Fraser University on Saturday in another GNAC contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Yellowjacket Field, with the match directly following MSUB’s women’s soccer game against Concordia University (Ore.). --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--