BILLINGS, Mont. – A 2-0 halftime deficit didn't stop the Montana State University Billings men's soccer team on Saturday.
 
Neither did the fact that the Yellowjackets played the final 35 minutes against Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent Concordia University with only 10 players, after a red card early in the second half.
 
In a match that looked all but lost at the break – MSUB conceded an own goal 18 minutes in and a second goal with just 24 seconds before halftime – somehow the 'Jackets found a will to win.
 
As a result of MSUB's two victories last week, the Yellowjackets have been recognized as the GNAC Team of the Week, announced by the conference office on Monday.
 
Ricardo Palomino, already the top scorer in the GNAC, took his game on Saturday to a level unseen this season and matched historically only by Yellowjacket alltime great Sam Charles. Three goals in 45 minutes, each tucked away with the craft of an expert striker. Palomino had done what he had done so many times already this season, lifting the 'Jackets to a win.
 
But never had he done so quite like this. Never had there been such a dominant individual performance; one that single-handedly wiped away the memory of the dreadful first half like a lapse in time.
 
Despite the extra player, Concordia's defenders were no match for Palomino. He grazed the right goal post with a top-class free kick and watched as the ball caromed into the net. He took a nice distribution pass from Garret Robinson and turned it into a screaming strike into the net from the right side in the goal box.
 
And Sam Butterworth helped cap off the masterpiece with a perfectly-timed header pass, as he looked on to watch Palomino volley the game-winner into the lower left corner.
 
When the final whistle sounded the Yellowjackets burst onto the field. They had found a way to play for one another and win, despite multiple layers of adversity.
 
But beyond playing for one another Saturday, there was a deeper meaning to the contest. A presence loomed at Yellowjacket Field on MSUB Kicks Cancer Day – a presence that joined players, coaches, and spectators alike together in remembrance of MSUB's fallen teammate, Trevor Wildberger.
 
Making the journey to Billings from California, Wildberger's parents Tammy and Jon attended Saturday's match which was dedicated to their late son, who passed away in August after a battle with cancer. Logos bearing 'TW26', Wildberger's initials and jersey number as a goalkeeper for the 'Jackets, were unveiled on either side of the large MSUB Soccer sign on the bleachers, and inside of MSUB's bench.
 

Tammy and Jon Wildberger (center) huddle with MSUB men's soccer players prior to Saturday's MSUB Kicks Cancer match at Yellowjacket Field.
 
"It was extremely brave for Tammy and Jon to be there on Saturday, so shortly after Trevor passed away," MSUB head coach Alex Balog said. "I know it was a very emotional afternoon for them, spending time with Sebastien Easton and his family, and being around the bench area during the game."
 
After a pregame moment of silence, MSUB's Team IMPACT child, Sebastien Easton, conducted the ceremonial kickoff. The seven-year-old's opening touch was received by Palomino, perhaps foreshadowing for what was about to take place.
 
With emotion running high, the 'Jackets faltered out of the gate, beginning the game with what Coach Balog called "flat" energy. The two-goal deficit was not how the Yellowjackets envisioned the opening 45 minutes in a game that held such significant meaning in the conference table.
 

Palomino's first goal early in the second half cut the deficit to one, but a soft red card minutes later appeared to suck any sign of life away as quickly as it had been restored. The 'Jackets would have to play the final 35 minutes down a man, with just 10 men to Concordia's 11.
 
"We spoke to the team at halftime and reminded them of the importance of this game, not just for our record and for our position in the league, but more importantly for Trevor and his family," Balog said.  "They came out flying in the second half, and they looked like a team that was possessed by Trevor's spirit. We started the second half with 12 players, and when we went down a man, never looked like we had a player less, because all 45 minutes long, we had that extra player with us on the field."
 
The Yellowjackets won their third match in-a-row Saturday, momentarily moving into a tie for first place in the conference standings. The victory came on the heels of Thursday's 1-0 triumph over Northwest Nazarene University, a match in which senior Fernando Perez played the role of hero. Gathering a cross from Julian Toenges from the left side of the field, Perez finished a one-time, left-footed shot into the upper-right corner of the net to give the 'Jackets all they needed to collect the win.
 
Palomino earned his second GNAC Player of the Week honor of the season, and MSUB has been picked as the GNAC Team of the Week, putting forth a performance unmatched across the conference by any team in any sport.
 
"I'm thrilled for Ricardo that he is getting recognized individually for his tremendous performances in both of last week's games, but I am far happier that the hard labor of this team is being recognized by the conference." Balog said. "That's what we are about. We want to be successful as a team, and if our players get individual recognition, that can only occur because the whole team around them is doing its job. So just like getting team of the week is a recognition of the hard work that we as a program have put in, so is Ricardo's Player of the Week award."
 
With Wildberger's parents looking on and his spirit living strong through the Yellowjackets, MSUB carried on his courageous will to battle and persevere no matter the odds against them.
 
"It was brilliant to see how our players, after the final whistle, all ran towards Trevor's parents and celebrated the win with them," Balog said. "This truly was a win for Trevor."