Oct. 24, 2013

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Pat Cole's (Jr., Bellingham/Sehome) first collegiate goal proved to be the difference as Western Washington University defeated Montana State University Billings, 1-0, Thursday night in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's soccer contest at Orca Field on the Whatcom CC campus.

The Vikings improved to 8-3-3 overall and 6-1-3 in the GNAC with their third consecutive triumph. The contest was the first of five straight at home, where WWU is 4-1-0 this year.

MSUB fell to 3-8-3 overall and 3-5-2 in conference action.

The Yellowjackets nearly took the lead in the 35th minute, when a penalty kick by Thorge Jess rocketed off the crossbar.

Cole gave the Vikings the advantage six minutes later. James Molyneux-Elliot (Fr., Issaquah/Skyline) played a ball into the penalty area that Cole took on a half-volley and chipped in from 12 yards out.

"I thought overall we did well tonight," said WWU coach Greg Brisbon. "We got a bit lucky when they missed the penalty, but you need luck sometimes. In the second half, the guys did what we told them to and stuck with it, and we got the win."

Goalkeeper Keegan Rogers (Jr., Portland, OR/Portland Christian) made five saves in earning the shutout for WWU, which had a 15-12 advantage in shot attempts.

WWU entertains Northwest Nazarene on Saturday, Oct. 26 (7 p.m.), in a GNAC counter.

Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013Bellingham, Wash., Orca Field, Whatcom CC
Western Washington 1, Montana State Billings 0
Scoring - 1. WWU, Pat Cole (James Molyneux-Elliott), 40:33.
Shots - WWU 15, MSUB 12Saves - WWU 5 (Keegan Rogers 5); MSUB 4(Eoin Hurley 4)Corner kicks - WWU 5, MSUB 6Fouls - WWU 13, MSUB 20Attendance: 171
Next Game: WWU hosts Northwest Nazarene on Sat., Oct. 26 (7 p.m.) at Orca Field on Whatcom CC campus.