Soccer loses season opener

A 20-13 shot advantage and a furious second-half rally werenâ€^TMt enough to overcome a three-goal deficit as the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs soccer team dropped its opening match of the season 3-2 to the Montana State-Billings Yellowjackets Monday at Billings, Mont.

MSU-Billings goalkeeper Jess Feldtman had nine saves in his teamâ€^TMs home opener, frustrating a CU-Colorado Springs offense that consistently applied pressure but struggled to turn that pressure into goals.

A hard foul by senior defender Russell Aamodt in the 34th minute not only earned him a yellow card, but also gave the Yellowjackets (3-3) a penalty kick. Thomas Pertuit converted to give Montana State-Billings a 1-0 lead.

That lead held into halftime after Feldtman smothered a Mark Brehm header with just 23 seconds remaining. It was Feldtmanâ€^TMs fifth save of the half.

A CU-Colorado Springs miscue helped the Yellowjackets increase their lead to 2-0. James Bjorklund, who replaced Chris Hovasse as CU-Colorado Springsâ€^TM goalkeeper at halftime, attempted to clear a ball from the Mountain Lionsâ€^TM zone. The ball deflected off of MSU-Billings forward Brian Palmer and bounded into the goal.

One minute later, the Palmer and the Yellowjackets extended their lead to a commanding 3-0. Palmer and Pertuit got behind the CU-Colorado Springs defense, where Pertuit drew the remaining defender. His pass found Palmer open for the goal.

Instead of reeling in the face of the unexpected turn of events, the Mountain Lions struck back, and did so quickly. Twenty-three after falling behind by three, CU-Colorado Springsâ€^TM Juan Nolasco found Mark Brehm 10-yards out on the right side for the goal.

CU-Colorado Springs brought in some fresh legs to keep the pressure on as Misha Thomas, Ryan Beebe and Kenny Salazar all entered the match. The move paid off in the 79th minute when Thomas headed in a loose ball in front of the goal to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Mountain Lions nearly tied the match in the 82nd minute when Salazarâ€^TMs shot got past Feldtman, but deflected off the crossbar. Less than a minute later, Feldtman again saved the Yellowjackets by stopping a shot by Beebe. A final shot by Brehm with 35 second left went wide of the mark.