CLINTON, Miss. --- A three-goal performance from Senior Jorge Delgado helped the Mississippi College men's soccer team power past the Statesmen of Delta State University 5-0 on Sunday, improving their record to 2-1-1 on the season and 1-0 in Gulf South Conference play.
                                                                
"I thought it was a solid complete team performance today," Head Coach Kevin Johns said of his team's performance. "Our team has a chance to be successful going forward as long as we defend well. Scoring chances will come for us, and we have the talent. We just have to keep defending well."
 
Delgado's scoring outburst helped pace the Choctaws offensively. His performance brought his goal total to a team-best five on the year. Horacio Gutierrez Jr. chipped in for his first goal of the season, and Humberto Pelaez also added his first score via a penalty kick. Jacob Farthing, Dinho Zwane and Julio Moreno were responsible for MC's three assists on the afternoon, with all three picking up their first in that stat category.
 
The Choctaws wasted no time getting into the scoring column, as Pelaez's successful penalty kick in the second minute of the game gave MC the early 1-0 advantage. Delgado picked his first goal of the afternoon in the 12^th minute, when Zwane stole a pass and dished it off to Delgado for the score to make it 2-0. Delgado found the back of the net for goal number two in the 21^st minute. Farthing was credited for the assist.
 
MC found themselves in a similar situation in the second half, as they got another early score to start the period when Gutierrez headed in a corner kick from Moreno to make it 4-0 (47:50).  Delgado capped off his stellar day in the 81^st minute, when he booted in a penalty kick to secure the hat trick, and give way to the 5-0 final score.
 
MC outshot DSU 16 to 9 in the contest. The Choctaws put up nine shots on goal, compared to the Statesmen's four.
 
Delgado's five shots and three shots on goal were a team high. Gutierrez finished with three shots and two shots on goal. Farthing, Johnson, Zwane, Pelaez and Victor Marinho all accounted for a shot on frame. Moreno added two shots, and Elliot Rimmer also recorded a shot taken.
 
In Goal, Pelaez was a perfect four for four on save opportunities. The junior Goalkeeper posted his second shutout of the season, while improving his record to 2-1-1 on the year.
 
MC took seven corner kicks, while DSU took two. Both teams committed four offside infractions in the game. The Choctaws commited four fouls, while the Statesmen were whistled for 10. DSU received two yellow cards during the match.
 
The Choctaws face a quick turnaround, as they host Pensacola Christian on Tuesday in a nonconference match at Longabaugh Field. Match time is slated for 4:00 p.m.