Junior defender Kai VanCourt scored off an assist from junior Pedro Santana during the 74th minute, but that was the only goal the Mississippi University for Women’s men’s soccer team could muster in a 4-1 loss to Belhaven University on Friday in Jackson.
An own goal and a penalty kick helped Belhaven build a 3-0 lead. The own goal came off of a Belhaven set piece, and the PK was the first collegiate goal for Blazers captain John Avery Slay.
Santana sent a perfect pass in front of the goal toward VanCourt, who headed the ball into the net to put the Owls on the scoreboard. But an insurance goal 6 minutes later by Enzo Guercio sealed the win for Belhaven.
The Blazers outshot the Owls 12-8, but The W held a 5-4 edge in shots on goal. More telling was the total of corner kicks: Belhaven had 10 opportunities, while the Owls had just one.
While the Blazers (6-8-1) open play Tuesday in the American Southwest Conference tournament, the Owls (8-9) — ranked No. 7 in the latest United Small College Athletic Association poll — must now play the waiting game to see if they receive a bid to the USCAA championships when the field is announced Wednesday.
Women’s soccer
Owls blanked in season finale
The Owls closed the 2021 regular season Friday on the road, dropping a 4-0 decision at Belhaven University in Jackson.
The W (6-10) allowed the Blazers (10-7-1) a 3-0 lead after the first half. Belhaven held a 17-4 advantage in total shots, including 10-2 for shots on goal. The Blazers had 11 corners to just one by The W.
Senior goalkeeper Sarah Gilliland, playing what might have been her career finale for The W, turned in 6 saves.
Volleyball
Owls taken down by Millsaps on the road
The Owls were no match for the Majors, who posted a 25-11, 25-12, 25-18 victory on Friday at the Hanger Dome in Jackson.
Strong defensive efforts from Madison Suggs and Llayne Skinner were not enough to keep The W from falling to 1-17. Suggs finished with 16 digs, while Skinner added 11; the 27 digs accounted forl more than half of The W’s 47 digs as a team. Each had just one receiving error in the match, while Skinner also chipped in 3 kills.
Maggie Griggs led the Owls offensive attack with 6 kills and a team-best .174 attack average. Jasmine Kelly added 4 kills and 2 blocks for The W. Setter Hannah Duran contributed 9 assists while also making 9 digs.
Millsaps easily controlled the first two sets, but the Owls appeared to find their footing during the third. The set featured seven ties — the last at 15-15 — and four lead changes. The Owls nearly wiped out four consecutive points with three in a row to make it 19-18, but Millsaps scored the final six of the match to wrap it up.
The W has two more matches on the schedule: a Thursday trip to Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee and a senior night match against Dillard on Friday at Pohl Gym. Both matches begin at 6 p.m.
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