JACKSON - The Millsaps Men's Soccer team was back in conference action Friday night as they took on the Stormy Petrels of Oglethorpe University. Against the last season's NCAA tournament participant, the Majors picked up their fifth win of the season and the second in the SAA, getting their overall record to 5-7-2 (2-2-1 SAA), while Oglethorpe dropped to 8-4 overall (2-3 SAA).
The game was played fairly even with both sides accumulating five shots in the first half. The best chances for the Majors came of Anthony Hayden's breakaway, which was pushed just inches wide.
Millsaps got another opportunity off a free kick by Christopher Lawrence, which skimmed the crossbar.
Near the end of the first half it was the Stormy Petrels that broke through. In the 40th minute, Nick Williamson headed home a corner kick from Ben Robertson and put Oglethorpe up 1-0.
Just minutes later it was Nick Williamson, who received his second yellow card of the game and had to leave the field. Oglethorpe University had to do without a second player, after Sean King received a straight red just seconds later and left the Stormy Petrels headed into halftime up 1-0, but down two players.
The Majors came out strong in the second half and determined to take advantage of the situation. Millsaps outshot Oglethorpe 13-3 in the second half and were lead by Lukas Elmhammar (4 shots) and Mat Crooker (4 shots). It was freshman Matt Crooker that tied up the game at 1-1 in the 60th minute.
The Majors then got two more goals by freshman Lukas Elmhammar. The first in the 66th minute, when he was assisted on a beautiful cross by Trey Fontaine and then again in the 72nd minute after an assist by Anthony Hayden.
Oglethorpe continued to battle, despite their tough odds, but were not able to overcome the 3-1 deficit and the Majors defense, led by senior goalkeeper Stephen Andrieu (3 saves) was able to keep the Stormy Petrels of the scoreboard in the second half.
The Majors returned to action on Sunday and took on a very good Berry Colelge squad. The Viking jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes. As the Majors tried to claw back, they got a penalty kick opportunity in the second half after Elmhammar was fouled in the box.
Trey Fontaine took the shot and put it away to cut the deficit to 2-1, but it would not be enough as Berry took the victory.
The Majors are back in action on Wednesday, as they take on the Birmingham-Southern Panthers in their final SAA match before the Tournament which will also be in Birmingham.
