Gonzaga University
Montana State-Billings
Miller, Josten Score Twice In Win
9/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 11, 2004
SPOKANE, Wash. - Luke Miller, who missed the first three matches with a foot injury, and George Josten each had a pair of goals and Mark Stock had a goal and two assists as Gonzaga University's men's soccer team posted an easy 5-1 non-conference victory over Montana State University-Billings on Saturday at Martin Field.
It didn't take the Bulldogs (2-2-0) long to take control of the match. Stock, a transfer from UNLV, scored on a thru ball from John Reha at 4:15. Then, just 18 seconds later, it was Miller with his first goal, taking a shot from the right wing to the far post to beat Yellowjackets keeper Jess Feldtman.
The Bulldogs, who had the territorial advantage for much of the day and held a 19-4 shots advantage, made it 3-0 at 28:16 when Miller scored again, this time taking a thru ball from Stock and beating Feldtman from 19 yards. Just minutes prior to the goal Feldtman injured his right knee in a collision in the box with the Bulldogs John Palladino. Feldtman was noticeably hobbled the remainder of the match. Kyle Bales moved from his midfielder spot to the net for the second half. MSUB head coach Doug Seigel said Feldtman will probably have a MRI on Monday as a precaution.
Freshman George Josten scored the first two goals of his collegiate career to end the Bulldog scoring. His first came at 33:46 on Ben Sawyer's second assist of the day, Josten firing from the right wing at the top of the box and finding the net. His second came at 38:35 on Stock's second assist, this on a thru ball from 12 yards.
Gonzaga head coach Einar Thorarinsson started redshirt freshman Dade Smith in goal for his first career appearance. He had one save and lost his shutout bid with just 14 seconds remaining when Jesse Spann scored. Thomas Pertuit's throw in to the front of the net couldn't be controlled and Spann found the net in the ensuing melee.
"I thought we played well today," Thorarinsson said. "This was a different team than the one fans saw in the season opener. Our passing was crisper and we were more on top of our game. We also got a chance to play a lot of people today, and I think it was good for the younger players to get some experience."
Thorarinsson rested seniors Arni Pjetursson and Mike Herzog, and Steve Owens did not play while recuperating from an injury. Owens could return next week.
The Yellowjackets also lost the services of Colin Adams in the second half as he went down with an apparent back injury as he was iced upon leaving the contest. Dustin Kono also left the match late in the second half with an apparent left knee injury.
The Bulldogs will return to action next Wednesday at Oregon State University at 4 p.m., then travel to Cal Poly next Friday for a 5 p.m. match. The next home action for the Bulldogs won't be until Oct. 10 when Santa Clara University visits as the next six Bulldog matches are away from home.
