Mississippi Brilla FC News Release -- www.brillasoccer.org
Friday, July 29, 2011
JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi Brilla captured the regular season Southeast Division title in each of the last three seasons, but failed to convert that success into postseason wins. That streak ended on Friday night as they dominated the Chivas El Paso Patriots, winning 3-0 to advance to the Souther Conference Championship game on Saturday night at Harper Davis Field.
Mississippi was dangerous from the first whistle with Moses Aduny and Mike Aira both missing great early chances. Those two would combine in the 11th minute when Azira passed the ball into Aduny putting him in behind the Patriots’ defense. He slid the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net for what would prove to be the game-winning goal.
But the Brilla didn’t take their foot off the pedal. In the 30th minute a Brilla corner bounced around the El Paso penalty area until Mat Luak controlled it and smashed it home from close range. The goal gave Brilla a little breathing room, and made the rest of the game very comfortable.
In the second half the Brilla picked up where the first half ended, controlling the match and frustrating the El Paso attack. Brilla goalkeeper Zach Torp was rarely called into action, but was always on his toes when opportunities came his way.
Mississippi winger David Palmer scored the third and final goal in the 74th minute on a 30-yard bomb that left El Paso’s Muñiz rooted to the ground. The shot flew into the top corner to send the crown of 1,412 into ecstasy. Mat Luak assisted the goal.
The Brilla will now match up with the Laredo Heat, who won the first semifinal 1-0 against the Central Florida Kraze. Their match was much closer, with a 55th minute penalty kick being the decider in the contest.
Mississippi’s Head Coach, Dave Dixon was excited, but focused, saying, “Our guys were ready for tonight, and it showed. I know they already can’t wait for tomorrow’s match with Laredo. While we are happy to win tonight, it’s not time to celebrate anything.”
The Southern Conference Championship will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Harper Davis Field on the campus of Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss. For more information, visit www.brillasoccer.org.