After winning the Premier Development League Regular Season Title, Mississippi Brilla FC had high hopes for advancing in the post-season. The Bradenton Academics, fresh off a first round win over the New Orleans Jesters, would have something to say about that and end Mississippi’s season with a 3-2 overtime win.
Bradenton opened the scoring early when Ederson Lopes banged in a Zak Boggs cross off the goalpost and in to put the Academics up 1-0 in the 22nd minute.
Mississippi Brilla answered just eleven minutes later when Willie Hunt out-jumped his defender in the the Bradenton penalty area and headed home a Nick Rich freekick.
Mississippi dominated the possession in the second half, outshooting the Academics eleven to four, but had trouble putting those shots anywhere but directly at Bradenton ‘keeper Zach Johnson.
Bradenton took the lead with only five minutes remaining in regulation when Zak Boggs headed in a Steven Morris cross to take the score to 2-1.
David Lilly equalized in the 4th minute of stoppage time to send the crowd of 1,806 into a frenzy on what was virtually the last kick of regulation. Lilly knocked it in from short range after Jacob Lawrence carried the ball deep in the box and knocked him a short pass. The goal would knot the score at 2-2, and send the match into overtime.
During the first 15 minute period, Bradenton took the lead again. Steven Morris stepped up the take a direct free kick 20 yard from the Mississippi goal. His shot deflected off of the Brilla wall and left Mississippi ‘keeper Josh Pantazelos moving the other way when the ball flew into the net.
Bradenton was able to weather the storm for the next 21 minutes and win the Southeastern Division Championship.
The loss ends Mississippi Brilla FC’s 2009 campaign with a 9-1-6 regular season record, and a 0-1 post-season record. Bradenton provided the only losses Brilla sustained all year.
The Academics will move on to compete with the seven other surviving teams in their quest to win a Premier Development League Championship.
