From MSUB Athletics staff
Noah Runsvold, a standout soccer player at Auburn Riverside High School and Highline College, has signed with Montana State University Billings.
Runsvold is the fifth player to sign with the MSUB men’s program in advance of the 2019-20 academic year.
“Noah is a player we have been following for a while,” said Yellowjackets coach Alex Balog said. “The success he had during his two seasons at Highline will serve us well. We need players who have a winning mentality, and understand what it takes to be successful. Noah was passionate about becoming part of our MSUB men’s soccer family, and that is also an element we look for in the players who will come reinforce us.”
Runsvold is coming off a successful two-year career at Highline. As a sophomore last fall, Runsvold started 16 of his team’s 17 games playing as a central midfielder. He contributed three goals and an assist for seven total points, while placing 10 of his 17 shots on target (58.8 percent). His strong year earned him Northwest Athletic Conference all-region honors, and he served as a team captain.
“I chose MSUB as I wanted the ability to continue my collegiate soccer career for a great team while getting a great education,” Runsvold said. “I also like the idea of being close with my community and professors.”
Gaining experience as a college freshman during the 2017 season, Runsvold played in 12 games and earned six starts for Highline. He notched an assist in his first collegiate season as well, and helped his team to the 2017 NWAC championship. Runsvold carries a 3.23 college GPA to MSUB, where he plans to study pre-physical therapy. He earned academic all-NWAC honors in 2017 as well.
“With Noah’s arrival, we are balancing our midfield situation,” Balog said. “It will allow Noah to start gelling with the team, which will help him for the fall season.”
The 5-foot-9 Runsvold was a three-year letterwinner at Auburn Riverside, where he played primarily as a right-back under coach Robyn Saarenas. As a senior in 2016, Runsvold was a second-team all-North Puget Sound League 4A selection.
MSUB finished the 2018 season with a record of 7-10-2, and went 4-7-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play to take fifth place.
