July 7, 2018
CLINTON, Miss. - Fresh off their division clinching victory in Birmingham on Thursday night, South Georgia Tormenta FC came to Mississippi on Saturday hoping to maintain their hot streak and stay unbeaten. Following a three hour weather delay, the visitors were able to continue their undefeated season with a scoreless draw. The tie moves Tormenta FC to 10-0-2, while Brilla moves to 6-2-4.
After waiting out multiple lightning and rain delays, the teams took the field nearly three hours after the originally scheduled start time. With little time for a proper warmup, the first 45 minutes basically served as a warmup for each team. After minimal action for either side, the teams went to the locker rooms with no score at the break.
The pace of the match picked up in the second half and Tormenta FC had two chances to grab the lead in the 51st minute. After a bad giveaway from a Brilla defender, a Tormenta attacker found himself with a great opportunity on a breakaway. However, Brilla goalkeeper Brendan Ledgeway made the huge stop. The ball then found the feet of another Tormenta player in front of an open net. Ledgeway somehow made his way back in front of the ball and made a diving save on the second attempt.
The visitors got another break in the 74th minute when Brilla’s Mitch Gutteridge received a red card for a hard tackle. Down to 10 men for the remainder of the match, Brilla continued pressing in an attempt to bag the game winner.
The winning goal almost happened in the 89th minute when Brilla’s Christian Kirchhoff made a great run down the left sideline and served a perfect cross into the box. The cross found the head of Chandler Shirley, but his powerful header went into the hands of the Tormenta goalkeeper. Moments later the referee ended the match in a stalemate.
Mississippi Brilla ends the regular season with a two-game home stand next weekend against Peachtree City MOBA. The matches on Friday and Sunday will both kickoff at 7:00 pm at Clinton High School Arrow Stadium.