BELLINGHAM, Wash.  – The Western Washington University men's soccer team fought to a scoreless draw against the Montana State Billings on a misty evening at Harrington Field.

 

The Vikings snapped a two-game losing streak with the 0-0 tie, moving to 3-1-1 in home games and 4-5-3 overall. WWU remains in 5th place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings with five points at 1-3-2. WWU's defense tallied its fifth shutout of the season.

 

Western dominated the stat sheet holding a 13-4 advantage in shots and 7-1 edge in shots on goals. The Vikings also had a lopsided 11-1 advantage in corner kicks, but was unable to score a goal for the fifth time this season.

 

"Overall, I am happy with the performance of the team tonight. We did everything we wanted but just fell short of scoring a goal," said WWU head coach Greg Brisbon. "We created enough chances and played solid defense, but just didn't get it done. The performance was evident with what shows on the stat sheet, but we will give it a go again Saturday night vs. NNU."

 

The Vikings opened the game with a flurry of corners, earning three set pieces in the first three minutes of the contest. The Vikings would finish the match with 11 corners on the night, putting pressure on the backline of the Yellowjackets.

 

The first half only had a handful of chances for either side, but the Vikings nearly got one with a minute left on the clock as junior Lucas Hakamada got his head to the ball from a corner forcing a save from the keeper.

 

In the second half, junior Eric Bunnell nearly got on the scoresheet after junior Adan Fernandez stole the ball off the foot of a MSU Billings center back before playing in Bunnell, who had his shot was saved by Yellowjacket goalkeeper Jeremi Campagnolo.

 

In the 64th minute, sophomore Ryan Rotter took a chance from just outside the box with his curling right-footed blast destined to find the far post side netting, but a fingertip diving save by Campagnolo kept the game scoreless. Just over a minute later Hakamada had a chance as he drove the ball forward to the near post, but his shot was saved by another stop from the Yellowjackets' keeper.

 

WWU senior goalkeeper Brandon Locke made one save while recording his conference-leading fifth shutout of the season. Locke now has 16 career shutouts to move into a tie for second place in WWU history, just two off the all-time school mark of 18 by Ben Dragavon (2002-05).

 

MSUB moved to 4-6-2 overall and 1-4-1 in GNAC play. Campagnolo made seven saves for his third shutout this season.
 

 

WWU (4-5-3, 1-3-2 GNAC) remains at home for the next two games, with the Vikings returning to action Saturday hosting Northwest Nazarene in a 4 pm game at Harrington Field. The complete 2023 schedule can be viewed online via wwuvikings.com/23_MSOC.

 

Western Washington 0, Montana St. Billings 0

Date: October 19, 2023

Field: Harrington Field   Site: Bellingham, WA

Attendance: 105

 

Goals by period              1  2    Tot

-----------------------------------------

MSU Billings...............  0  0  -  0

Western Washington.........  0  0  -  0

 

Shots: WWU 13, MSUB 4

Shots on Goal: WWU 7, MSUB 1

Saves: WWU 1 (Locke - 1), MSUB 7 (Campagnolo – 7)

Corners: WWU 11, MSUB 1

Fouls: WWU 11, MSUB 10

Offsides: WWU 2, MSUB 2

Kits: WWU (White), MSUB (Navy)

Records: WWU (4-5-3, 1-3-2), MSUB (4-6-2, 1-4-1)

Weather: 60º, light mist of rain in first half

 

Here is a look at Western's record breakdown for the 2023 season:

 

 

WWU continues to lead the all-time series vs. MSUB 23-11-4 dating back to the first meeting in 1998…WWU extended its unbeaten streak vs. Billings to eight straight, going 5-0-3 since the 2018 season…Vikings have recorded three consecutive shutouts against the Yellowjackets.

 

Here is a look at the GNAC schedule and standings through conference play on Thursday, with the Vikings remaining in 5th place in the table with five points (1-3-2):

 

 

Here is a look at the Vikings 2023 regular-season schedule and results:

 

 

Join friends, family, alumni and program supporters at a pregame Bunker Party on Saturday, October 21 for some fun, food and celebration prior to the WWU vs. NNU game that kicks off at 4 pm. The event begins at 2:30 pm and your registration and ticket purchase gains entrance to the Bunker Party, two drink tickets, heavy appetizers and your ticket to the game. The Bunker party will stay open during the game until 5:30. Visit wwuvikings.com/MS_BunkerParty for registration information.

 

The Foundation for WWU & Alumni will host a student tailgate on Saturday, October 21 from 2-4 pm just north of Harrington Field in the C Lots. This free student event will feature free hot dogs, games and Viking swag. Invite your friends, get your WWU gear ready and stay for the game vs. Northwest Nazarene to cheer on the Vikings. Students are encouraged to register at foundation.wwu.edu.

 

The complete 2023 WWU Men's Soccer schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/23_MSOC and single-game tickets can also be purchased online via wwuvikings.com/Tickets. Current WWU students will gain free admission to all home regular-season athletic events for the 2023-24 school year.