Box Score Jackson, MS – The Millsaps men's soccer team extended their winning streak to six games by defeating Birmingham Southern earlier today.
The win improves the Majors to 6-1 on the year and 1-0 in conference play. Today's loss marked the first of the year for Birmingham Southern as they fall to 8-1-1.
The physical, hard-fought game continued a familiar theme for the two Southern Athletic Association schools. Last season, the Majors fell in Birmingham to the Panthers in double overtime by a score of 2-1.
This year, however, featured the continued solid offensive play by Millsaps as they earned a 3-1 win over Birmingham Southern.
Jan Bergk started the scoring for the Majors just 10 minutes into the game. The heavy pressure from the Majors front line proved to be effective, as Javier Garcia took an early corner kick.
Garcia's corner kick cross was perfectly placed to the back post, awaiting the feet of Jan Bergk. Bergk's goal gave the Majors an early 1-0 lead.
Birmingham Southern, however, would answer. The Panthers began to push some offensive pressure of their own, as they scored just 13 minutes after Bergk's goal.
Forward Spencer Nichols finished off a string of passes from juniors Luke Etheridge and Patrick Erickson to tie the game at 1-1. The goal from Nichols finished the first half scoring as Millsaps outshot the Panthers 5-1 in the first period.
The Majors began the second half much like the first, by applying a great deal of offensive pressure. The strategy again worked, as sophomore Alex Bourland stormed into the 18-yard box of Birmingham Southern.
Bourland's drive into Panthers territory drew a foul, which resulted in a penalty kick for the Majors. Making his first start since Sept. 13th, senior Lukas Elmhammar stood ready to take the penalty shot.
Elmhammar rocketed his shot to the left side of the goal while starting Panthers goalkeeper; Marvin Castellanos dove to the right. Emlhammar's well-aimed penalty shot gave the Majors a 2-1 lead with over 34 minutes left in the game.
The Majors defense, led by Millsaps player of the week Jonathan Huebbe, held the Panthers scoreless in the second half.
"Happy with our defensive effort by only giving up three shots on the day," Head Coach Steve Voltz said. "Collectively as a defense though, we have to get better at clearing passes in dangerous areas."
The strong defensive showing completed another team effort for Millsaps, as their offensive pressure created another goal.
Senior forward Nico Roth followed a wild bounce played from a header at midfield. Roth's pressure drew Panthers goalkeeper Marvin Castellanos off his line. Following a deflection from Castellanos, Alex Bourland passed over to Javier Garcia.
With Castellanos virtually out of the play, Garcia launched his open-goal shot into the back of the net. Garcia's goal gave the Majors a 3-1 lead and solidified another Millsaps win.
Today's victory is the sixth consecutive win for Millsaps, as they outshot Birmingham Southern 12-3 for the contest. The win also improves Millsaps to 6-1 on the year (1-0 in SAA play).
"We're happy to go 1-0 for the first conference game of the year, especially against a great team in Birmingham Southern," Coach Voltz said. "We responded well in the second half after facing the challenge of giving up a goal."
The Majors are back in action tomorrow against nationally ranked Emory University.
The Eagles travel to Harper Davis Field tomorrow, Sept. 27th for a 1:30 pm start.
