Moses Aduny (right) scored one goal and assisted another.

July 8, 2010 – Jackson, MS
 
In a meeting of undefeated sides, Mississippi Brilla prevailed Thursday night over the Southeast Division leaders in a contest that could be called anything but a battle of defenses.
 
Baton Rouge took the first blood when Ben Callon headed home a Ricky Vargas cross in the 11th minute to put the Capitals on top. Brilla quickly countered when Moses Aduny knocked home a Mike Azira assist in the 18th minute. Brilla quickly scored again when Willie Hunt headed home a corner kick from Nick Rich in the 21st minute. Mississippi scored again before the halftime break when Ahmad Ihmeidan’s left-footed 23-yard bomb went just inside the far post after Moses Aduny set him up to put the home side up 3-1. Baton Rouge snuck one more goal into the first half with virtually the last kick when Joe Tait knocked in a rebound from an Andy Goeller save to make it 3-2 going into the break.
 
After the interval, Baton Rouge took control of the match for about 15 minutes, but the momentum swung back to Brilla and their forwards unleashed a flurry of shots that Capitals ‘keeper Joe Hart did well to save. Finally Moses Aduny struck a shot that Tait saved, but the rebound fell to Phillip Buffington who had an open goal to pass the ball into. He made no mistake, and his goal put Brilla up 4-2 in the 58th minute.

Baton Rouge was reduced to ten men when Ben Callon was sent off in the 60th minute for an elbow to the face of Brilla’s Richard Dixon. Dixon’s nose was bloodied, but he was able to return after a jersey change. Callon was sent to the locker room and could only hope his Capitals could pull off the impossible.
 
The impossible looked a little more likely after the Capitals Mark Anderson hit a shot that was deflected into the Brilla net in the 80th minute. The score was 4-3 with ten minutes to play, and Baton Rouge turned up the heat on Mississippi, who had trouble clearing the ball out of their defensive end.
 
Ultimately the defense held and Mississippi prevailed 4-3. The win takes them level on points with Baton Rouge for the Southeast Division lead. Brilla still have a game in hand, as they have only played ten to Baton Rouge’s eleven. The teams will meet for a third and final time in the regular season on July 24th at Harper Davis Field in Jackson.
 
Mississippi’s next match is Thursday, July 15 when they will host the last place Ft. Lauderdale Schultz Academy, who are still searching for their first franchise win. The match will kick off at 7:00.