June 5, 2010 - Jackson, MS

Mississippi Brilla got the upper hand on Nashville for the second game in a row, only this time it counted toward the regular season standings. After defeating Nashville 3-0 in an Open Cup qualifying match last Saturday, Brilla took care of business again with a 4-0 shutout over the Metros at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS on Saturday night. The win moves Brilla to 3-0-1 on the season. The loss drops Nashville to 1-3-1.
 
Both teams came out lethargic to start the game, and the pace did not pick up until the 37th minute when Mississippi’s Paul Willoughby found himself 1v1 with Nashville’s keeper after a perfect through ball by Lucas Paulini. Willoughby calmly slotted the ball past Ryan Bristol to put Mississippi up 1-0 going into the half. Willoughby’s goal was his third on the young season.
 
The second half proved to be much more productive for Mississippi as they put the match away shortly after the half. Brilla’s keeper, Josh Pantazelos, turned away a one on one by a Nashville attacker in the 55th minute, and the immediate counter attack produced Mississippi’s second goal of the evening. Nathaniel Foster found Ahmad Ihmeidan with a ball that beat Nashville’s back line. Ihmeidan finished the chance for his first goal of the season.
 
Ihmeidan struck again in the 71st minute when he chipped the keeper to put Brilla ahead 3-0. Phillip Buffington was credited with the assist. One minute later, Buffington picked off a pass from the Nashville defense and shot past the keeper for his first goal of the 2010 campaign. Buffington’s score proved to be the final of the night, as Mississippi cruised to a 4-0 victory.
 
“The first half was not a good one for us,” said Head Coach Dave Dixon. “I thought the guys responded well, though, and we scored some nice goals in the second half.”
 
Mississippi returns to action next Saturday, June 12 when they travel to Baton Rouge, LA to face the Capitals. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm at Olympia Stadium.