Box Score Jackson, MS – The Millsaps men's soccer team will play in the SAA Tournament Championship game after a semifinal win over Centre earlier today.
 
The Majors scored five goals in today's semifinal contest to earn a spot Sunday's championship game.  Despite the cold and rainy conditions, the Majors put together another impressive offensive performance to earn their 13th victory of the season.  Jan Bergk, Lukas Elmhammar and Nico Roth all scored, as the Majors will face Sewanee in the conference final tomorrow.
 
The Majors faced Centre earlier tonight in a rematch from one of the most thrilling games of 2015.  Last time they met, the Majors needed two late goals to defeat Centre in the final minutes of the game.  Tonight, however, Millsaps never trailed by scoring twice in the first half.
 
In the 41st minute, Matt Crooker set up a corner kick attempt for the Majors.  Crooker's cross to the back post found the incoming run of Jan Bergk.  Bergk launched Crooker's shot into the back of the net to give the Majors a 1-0 lead.
 
Two minutes later, Crooker drew a foul in the Centre 18-yard box.  Lukas Elmhammar was then called upon to take the penalty kick.  Elmhammar placed the penalty shot perfectly, which gave the Millsaps a 2-0-halftime lead.
 
"The two goals right before halftime really set the tone," Millsaps head soccer coach Steve Voltz said.  "It was key for us to gain some momentum heading into the second half."
 
The Majors used the momentum heading into the second half where Nico Roth took over.  In the 56th minute, Roth ran onto a long pass from Jan Bergk.  With a great deal of space ahead, Roth stormed into the Centre 18-yard box.  Roth finished the run with a well-placed shot to give the Majors a commanding 3-0 lead.
 
Twelve minutes later, Roth found the back of the net again.  After stealing the ball deep in Centre territory, Roth launched a well-placed shot into the back of the net.  Roth's second secured a Majors victory and spot in the tournament championship against Sewanee.
 
Tonight's game also marked the first shutout for the Majors defense since Sept. 19th and third total shutout on the year.
 
"Defensive side came out really strong today," Coach Voltz said.  "Johnathan Huebbe, Jan Bergk, Taylor Hayes, Daniel Staursky, and Nat Edwards all played well to earn the shutout."
 
The Majors will face the eighth seeded Sewanee Tigers, who defeated Rhodes earlier today with a late goal in the 80th minute.  Sewanee also began the SAA Tournament by defeating top seeded Oglethorpe on the road in penalty kicks.
"At the end of the day tomorrow is all that matters," Coach Voltz said.  "Sewanee deserves to be here, we have to come in focused and ready to play."
 
Tomorrow's game will begin at 2:30 from Harper Davis Field.  The SAA rematch will determine the winner of the Conference Tournament and carry NCAA Tournament implications as well.
 
"Have to finish the journey tomorrow," Coach Voltz said.  "We haven't accomplished anything yet by any means."