CLINTON, Miss. - Better late than never! Three goals in the final 18 minutes of the match secured a 5-2 win for Mississippi Brilla FC this afternoon. The win was Brilla's second in two games. Ciro Damine put in a Man of the Match performance from the center forward position, scoring twice and assisting on another goal.
Recap
Jalen James opened the scoring for Brilla in first half stoppage time. Jamie DiLuzio dispossessed a Houston player in Brilla's attacking third, and the ball eventually made its way to Damine. Damine played a through pass to James, who rounded the goalkeeper and put the ball into the empty net. The goal was James' second in two games.
Damine doubled Brilla's lead in the 50th minute. David Medeiros fed a nice pass to him, and the Argentine forward made no mistake with his finish.
Houston was able to tie the match at two with goals in the 56th and 69th minutes. The visitors didn't get many opportunities on offense, but they capitalized on their two shots on goal.
Arturo Astorga was able to give the Brilla the lead back in the 72nd minute. The goal was Texas-made, as substitute midfielder (and Midland native) Adrian Morales beat a defender and threaded a well-weighted through ball to Astorga (El Paso native). Astorga slotted his shot past the onrushing goalkeeper.
A fourth goal for Brilla came in the 82nd minute. Jake Morris played a diagonal pass to Luke Bryant. Bryant's hard work paid off as he beat the goalkeeper and played a cross to Damine, who put the ball into the empty net.
The final goal came in the 89th minute, when Morris whipped in a cross into the path of substitute forward James Ndubueze, one-touched it into the net. This was Ndubueze's second goal of the season.
Next Game
Brilla will hit the road and play the Little Rock Rangers on Friday, May 28th. Kickoff will be at 6:00 p.m. from War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.