On a hot Sunday afternoon, ten days after their scheduled opener, the Millsaps Women's soccer team finally hit Harper Davis Field for their first game of the 2005 season.
After having two games postponed by Hurricane Katrina and a week of lost practice, the Majors played host to the Lady Pilots of LSU-Shreveport. In a wide open affair, the Majors were bested in the final two minutes by the visitors.
Although the both teams created numerous chances in the first half the score was still deadlocked at zeros at the end of the period. It did not stay that way for long as the Lady Pilots took the lead seven minutes into the second half. Millsaps fought back and leveled the score at one apiece on a goal by forward Erin Sanford.
Sanford took a through pass from fellow first year forward Bobbi Jones and outraced the defense to drive a shot into the back of the net. The game looked headed for overtime despite numerous chances for both teams until there was 1:47 left on the clock.
A LSU-S player was brought down in the penalty box and the referee correctly pointed to the penalty spot. The Lady Pilots converted the kick to take a 2-1 advantage. The Majors threw everyone forward trying to gain a last second equalizer but were unable to create a clear cut scoring chance in the remaining time.
Despite the tough loss the Majors gave a solid effort for their first outing of the season. Notably, sophomore defender Julia Fell and Sanford were voted Defensive and Offensive Players of the Match by their teammates.
The Majors will next travel to Louisiana College on Sept. 14 for their contest which was previously postponed.
