LAGRANGE, Ga. – A determined effort by the Millsaps women's soccer team was on display at Callaway Stadium in western Georgia as the Majors downed host LaGrange College, 3-1, Sunday morning.
Junior forward
Alexi Martinez had a triumphant day with a career-high two goals and an assist. Freshman midfielder
Magaly Belmares tallied her first career goal and added an assist, while classmate and forward
Nicole Balduccini also recorded a helper.
Senior goalkeeper
Maddie Moore was terrific controlling play from the back, garnering eight saves.
Millsaps (1-4-1) doubled LaGrange (0-2) on shot attempts (24-12), while the Panthers held a slight edge for shots on target (9-8). The Majors had nine corner kicks compared to the host's seven.
It was a fast start in the first half for the Majors as the team dominated time of possession and outshot LaGrange, 14-4 before intermission.
A trio of shots found their way toward the Panther goal early in the match before Balduccini collected a loose ball and found Martinez for the first score in the ninth minute.
The pressure continued by Millsaps as freshman defender
Camille Blanchard fired a shot from long range that was mishandled by the LaGrange keeper. The ball found the foot of Martinez who hit the post, but Belmares was able to tap the loose change home, giving Millsaps a 2-0 lead in the 26th minute.
Action would tighten up in the second half as the Majors outshot the Panthers by a close 10-8 margin. LaGrange held a 4-1 shot attempt advantage early before their fifth shot cut the Millsaps lead to 2-1 in the 67th minute.
However, the Majors weathered the pressure and continued to hold a 2-1 edge late into the contest. In the 89th minute, instead of being content to run out the clock, Belmares was able to find space and find Martinez across the goalmouth for the final score of the contest, making it 3-1.
The Majors return to Harper Davis Field to host Rhodes College on Friday, beginning at 7 p.m. following the Millsaps men's soccer match. Live stats and video will be available at gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps women's soccer program follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.
