Oct. 19, 2008

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Forward Michael Ricci (Jr., Bellevue/Newport) scored the only goal in the 36th minute as Western Washington University blanked Montana State University Billings, 1-0, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's soccer contest Sunday at Orca Field on the campus of Whatcom CC.

It was the third straight win for the Vikings, who improved to 8-5-2 overall and lead the GNAC standings at 4-1-0.

MSUB suffered its second straight loss, falling to 9-6-0 overall and 2-3-0 in conference play.

Yellowjacket forward Sam Charles, who leads the league in scoring with 17 goals, was held scoreless for just the third time this season.

"I have to give all the credit to our back five players - (Chris) Jepson (Jr., Bellingham/Sehome), (Thomas) Kauffman (So., Evanston, IL), (Nick) Saletto (Jr., Bellingham/Squalicum), (Joel) Grossman (Sr., Anacortes) and (Mitch) Barrows (Jr., Ferndale)," said Western coach Travis Connell. "They shut down one of the top scorers in the nation today and really made him a non-factor. Not only did they stop him from scoring, but it gave us confidence to attack because we were so solid in the back."

The game's only goal came with nine minutes left in the first half when Western's Matt Pele (Sr., Kennewick/Kamiakin) played a thru ball behind the defense and Gibson Bardsley (So., Fall City/Mount Si) rifled a low cross from the left side and Ricci was there in front of the goal to tuck it away.

The goal was Ricci's third of the campaign.

Western goalkeeper Cameron Copps-Tilley (Jr., Vancouver/Fort Vancouver) made five saves in registering his fourth shutout of the season.

The Vikings had big advantages in shots, 20-6, and corner kicks, 7-1.

Western has a 12-day layoff before a GNAC re-match at Montana State-Billings on Friday, Oct. 31.

Western Washington vs. Montana State BillingsDate: 10/19/08   Attendance: 136Goals by Period         1   2     TotalMontana State Billings  0   0 ---   0Western Washington      1   0 ---   1SCORING SUMMARY:WWU - Ricci (Pele, Bardsley), 35:31Shots: Western Washington 20, Montana State Billings 6Corner kicks: Western Washington 7, Montana State Billings 1Fouls: Western Washington 8, Montana State Billings 8Saves: Western Washington 5 (Copps-Tilley 5), Montana State Billings 5 (Mitchell 4, Tollefson 0, Team 1)