Box Score Jackson, MS – The Majors erased an early 1-0 deficit against Centre to earn their second consecutive comeback win in three days.
Trailing 1-0 for over 80 minutes of play, the Majors scored two goals in 50 seconds to earn their fourth conference win of the season. Today's game featured numerous milestones for the Millsaps men's soccer team as well. Not only did the thrilling come from behind win cap off Senior Day, but it also secured the third straight 10-win season for the Majors. Given the emotions of Senior Day, intense comeback, and remarkable third straight 10-win season, today was a landmark day for Millsaps men's soccer.
Centre scored their only goal of the contest within the first 117 seconds of play. Using a corner kick 'set piece' play to their advantage, the Colonels scored early to take a 1-0 lead. Alexander Garuba finished off a header from Jacob Trumbull on the Jacob Winkler corner kick to give the Colonels an early lead.
"We started the game out flat again," Head Men's Soccer Coach
Steve Voltz said. "We didn't handle the emotions of Senior Day well, but we continued to be composed throughout the game and found a way to win."
Garuba's goal was the only score of the half as the Colonels led 1-0. Centre led in first half shot totals as well (7-4). The Majors, however, finished the contest leading in shots 15-8. Starting goalkeeper Jonathan Huebbe recorded four saves on eight shots overall.
With 10 minutes left in Sunday's heart stopping game the Majors finally broke through on offense. After multiple good looks and well-timed shots, Millsaps set up for a game-tying corner kick with eight minutes left. The
Javier Garcia corner kick sailed through the air to
Conor Hagan, who volleyed it to the awaiting feet of
Steven Chrobok. Chrobok catapulted the pass from Hagan into the back corner of the net, giving the Majors their first score of the day.
"We found a way to grind one in off that set piece," Coach Voltz said. "
Steven Chrobok was just in the right place at the right time and knocked it in finally."
Centre's defensive effort made any comeback attempt difficult for the Majors as well. The Colonels starting goalkeeper, Bailey Spade, recorded two total saves on the day while the Centre backline held strong.
"When you play a good, well organized defensive side like Centre it's going to be tough to get any scores at all," Coach Voltz said.
Chrobok's goal gave the Majors new life and momentum for the contest. Just 50 seconds later,
Alex Bourland removed any doubt for another Majors comeback.
After a takeaway in Centre territory, Nico Roth exchanged passes with
Javier Garcia. Roth then found
Alex Bourland on a furious run into the Centre 18-yard box. Bourland finished the beautiful play on a one-timer shot that darted into the back of the net. Bourland's goal gave the Majors their first lead of the day in the final seven minutes of play.
"A great steal and counter attack for us on the second goal," Coach Voltz said. "Great cross by Nico (Roth) and a quality finish by Alex (Bourland)."
The Majors held on to win 2-1 on a special day for the Seniors.
Tyler Cook,
Charlie Edwards,
Lukas Elmhammar,
Conor Hagan, Nico Roth,
Ryan Skelly, and
Daniel Staursky will all complete outstanding careers here at Millsaps this season. Today marked the final home game of the regular season. However, today's win guaranteed another home game for the Majors, as they will host a conference tournament game later this month.
"Happy for our seniors to win and have another opportunity to host a home game," Coach Voltz said. "Looking forward to continuing this season as long as possible with tournament play later this month."
Today's win secures the Majors their third straight 10-win season. Today also marks the second consecituve come from behind victory for Millsaps. The Majors will look to use the momentum from the two wins this weekend for the final game of the regular season.
Next up for Millsaps is a final road conference game against Rhodes. The Majors take on the Lynx this Saturday, Oct. 24th in Memphis, Tennessee.
