BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's soccer team responded from a halftime deficit to tie the game in the 52nd minute but visiting Montana State Billings netted the game-winning goal during the 84th minute for a 2-1 victory over the Vikings on Saturday night at Harrington Field in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.
 
WWU dropped to 4-4-0 overall and 0-2-0 in conference play while the Yellowjackets improved to 4-4-1 overall and 1-1-0 in GNAC action.
 
MSU Billings took a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute when forward Shantik Bedrosian sent a pass across the field to midfielder Guillaume Kremer, who then passed up to midfielder Andres Perez for a long shot from within the right side of the 18-yard box to the far post.
 
The Vikings were held to 2 shots in the first half, compared with 9 by the 'Jackets, but added 7 shots (3 on goal) during the second half while MSU Billings had 8 second-half shots with 2 on frame.
 
Sophomore Georg Cholewa (Leipzig, Germany/Sportgymnasium Chemnitz) scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season shortly after halftime in the 52nd minute to bring WWU even at 1-1. He took a through-ball pass from sophomore midfielder Drew Farnsworth (Auckland, New Zealand/Westlake Boys) and scored to the near post from 14 yards away.
 
The 'Jackets took the lead for good when Kremer sent a cross in from the left side to forward Austin Shafer for a header goal from 7 yards away in a crowded box to the far post at the 83:48 mark.
 
WWU had one shot following the go-ahead goal, a hard strike by senior defender Stephen Jinneman (Redmond, WA) from inside the middle of the 18-yard box that was saved by MSU Billings goalkeeper Ludvig Rhodin.
 
MSU Billings held a 17-9 advantage in shots, and posted 6 shots on goal compared with 3 for the Vikings. The 'Jackets had 4 corner kicks while the Vikings totaled 2.
 
Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Brandon Wolter (Vancouver, WA/Union) made 4 saves for WWU, including 3 in the first half. Rhodin finished with a pair of saves for MSU Billings, both in the second half.
 
The Vikings play one game next week, remaining at Harrington Field to host Concordia next Saturday (7 pm). WWU will then head on the road for four consecutive games, beginning with a trip to face MSU Billings (Oct. 4, 1 pm MT) and Northwest Nazarene (Oct. 6, 4 pm MT).
 
GAME NOTES: WWU dropped to 18-11-1 all-time vs. the MSU Billings…teams split the season series each of last two seasons…Georg Cholewa scored his team-leading fourth goal and has 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists) for the season…Drew Farnsworth recorded his first assist of the season to go along with 2 goals (5 points).
 
About WWU Soccer:
The Western Washington University men's soccer program enters its 39^th season at the varsity level in 2018 with head coach Greg Brisbon in his sixth season leading the program. The program has recorded an overall record at or above the .500 mark in five of the last six seasons, combining to go 49-41-18 (.537) over this stretch. In 2016 the Vikings advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for the first time in program history, using a late-season surge that saw the Vikings 5-0-1 over the last six matches to advance to the postseason. WWU beat 19^th-ranked Dixie State in the first round of the NCAA Championships 3-2 in overtime on a golden goal header. Overall the program has produced 39 GNAC Player of the Week, 25 First Team All-GNAC selections and 3 GNAC Players of the Year since joining the conference in 2001.