Jackson, MS – The Millsaps Men's Soccer team will face Washington University (Missouri) tomorrow for the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
Tomorrow's game marks the first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history for the Majors as they punched their ticket to the field of 61 teams by defeating Sewanee last Sunday in the SAA Tournament Championship. 
 
The continuing theme for the Majors this season has been one of resiliency.   There were many games where the Majors faced a deficit and had to come from behind.  The Majors have also faced a number of different injuries throughout the season as well.  Despite the circumstances, the Millsaps Men's Soccer Team has remained resilient to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
 
"We're the new kid on the block," Head Men's Soccer Coach Steve Voltz said.  "We have to have the confidence that we can compete anywhere we go.  That's why we schedule tough opponents like Auburn Montgomery, Emory, and Ohio Wilmington to try and get on that level.
 
"We've just recently gotten healthy as well, we've used eight or nine different variations in the back four throughout the season.  The last two weeks we've found a combination that's healthy and consistent for us finally."
 
Finding a healthy, consistent back four has helped the Majors with their recent success, but also, the elevated offensive play has provided a boost.  Majors forward and team captain Nico Roth credits the increased offensive play to hard work and determination.
 
"I felt like some weeks ago we were pretty unfortunate with some situations we had," Majors senior forward Nico Roth said.  "We just kept working hard every week and every practice.  I knew it was only a matter of time until we got back to that high level of confidence we had earlier in the season."
 
The new level of confidence has certainly helped the Majors.  Collectively as a team, Millsaps has scored 17 times in the last four games while only conceding four goals.  Millsaps captain and senior defender Daniel Staursky knows that the recent success does not just happen in one weekend either – it's a process.
 
"Every guy on this team, whether they're coming off the bench or starting believes that we can be as good as we want to be," Staursky said.  "That mindset started last spring when we had our 6 am workouts three times a week.  It's not just one weekend that led to the NCAA Tournament, it's been a belief from everybody that we can get there, but we're only going to get there through what we do in preparation before the season even starts.
 
"The leadership on our team, Nico, Coach Voltz, myself, and all the guys - we hold each other accountable.  Everybody puts the team first and I believe that's helped with our success."
 
The leadership has helped the Majors overcome a number of different obstacles this year, as they are eager to play in their first NCAA Tournament game in school history.
 
"I think I can speak for the whole team when I say we are very excited for this opportunity," Roth said.  "We all know it's the first time ever in Millsaps history that we're headed to an NCAA Tournament game.  It's a big achievement to win the conference tournament and go to the NCAA, but we still have more goals we want to achieve this year."
 
The Majors will face the Washington Bears (#18) in the first round.  Wash U will also play host to the first round tournament as tomorrow's game starts at 5 pm.
 
"Going up to Wash U this weekend, there is a lot of respect and acknowledgement of their success, but no fear," Coach Voltz said.  "We're going to do our best and compete at a high level.  We know they have the experience, we're going to go with a healthy amount of respect, but with the mindset to win."
 
Tomorrow's game starts at 5 pm from Francis Field at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.