After picking up an important home win on Friday night, Mississippi Brilla FC returned to action on Saturday night taking on the New Orleans Shell Shockers and winning 2-1.

Brilla seemed to suffer the effects of games on back-to-back nights, starting slowly and conceding a goal to the Shell Shockers in the 25th minute. Brandon Chagnard beat Brilla FC goalkeeper, David Austin, to a loose ball and slotted it in the upper corner of the Brilla net.

Brilla regrouped at halftime and found their form in the second half. In the 57th minute Phillip Buffington collected a rebound from his own shot and found James Gledhill 15 yards out. Gledhill calmly put the shot away to tie the match at one each.

Phillip Buffington would get a goal for himself in the 77th minute when Adam Braun found him behind the Shell Shocker backline. Buffington’s first touch beat three New Orleans defenders, and his second beat Shell Shocker goalkeeper Daniel DeSouza at his near post. The goal proved to be the match-winner and secured man of the match honors for Buffington for the second straight night. It would also serve to send the crowd of 1,028 into a frenzy.

Brilla held on for the last thirteen minutes plus stoppage time despite a near goal when New Orleans hit a screaming header only to see if saved off the goal line by Brilla goalkeeper, David Austin.

The back to back wins for Brilla moves them out of last place and back into the middle of the pack in the Mid-South Division. Their 4-4-2 record puts them within striking distance of one of the two playoff spots with 6 games remaining on the schedule. Brilla’s Director of Operations, Scott Taylor, was encouraged by the gutsy win.

“This is our sixth match against New Orleans over the past two season and the first time we’ve beaten them,” said Taylor. “We’ve taken tying them to an art, but we finally got over the hump and got three important points.”

New Orleans will not have to wait very long for a chance at revenge as they host Mississippi on Wednesday, June 25th.