Jackson, Miss. --- Marco Profumo knocked in the game-winning goal in the 87^th minute to propel the Mississippi College men's soccer team over the Sharks of Nova Southeastern University 2-1 on Thursday night in their season opener. With the win, the Choctaws improve to 1-0 on the season.
                                   
TURNING POINT

• Profumo's 15 yard strike in the 87^th minute proved to be the difference maker in the game. The junior forward took a pass from senior winger Jacob Farthing and found the back of the net for what would become the eventual game-wnner.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams were held scoreless for the majority of the first half. It was not until the final minute of half number one that anyone was able to crack the scoreboard.
• It was sophomore defender Connor Johnson who broke the scoreless tie. Johnson took a deflected pass from Farthing and connected to give MC the 1-0 lead heading into the half.
• The Sharks would eventually crack the score board in the second half, when Filippo Mancini knocked in a free kick from 15 yards out.
• Both teams had chances to get on the board following the equalizer from Nova, but it was MC that would eventually knock in the game-winner late.

 
KEY STATS

• Farthing served as a key facilitator in the Choctaw attack on the evening, tallying two assists on the night.
• The Choctaws outshot the Sharks 22-9 on the night, with 15 of those coming in the second half.
• MC was able to put 10 of those 22 shots on frame
• In goal, Humberto Pelaez came up with several big saves for the Choctaws late in the game. The senior netminder tallied five saves on the night, while allowing only one goal. Pelaez improved to 1-0 on the year.
• There were four cards passed out in total on the night, with Nova receiving three and MC receiving one.
• The Choctaws were tagged for 16 fouls, while the Sharks were charged with 13
• MC took six corner kicks, to Nova's four

 
KEY NOTES

• The win marks the second consecutive season that the Choctaws opened up the regular season with a win over Nova Southeastern. The Choctaws knocked off the Sharks 2-0 to open up the season in 2016.
• Wet field conditions forced Thursday night's game to Jackson Academy in Jackson, Miss. It was originally scheduled for a 3:30 p.m start time at Longabaugh Field.

 
UP NEXT

• The Choctaws look ahead now to Saturday, Sept. 2, when they will face off against Barry University. Match time is slated for 3:30 p.m.

 

---

Mississippi College is a private Christian university located in Clinton, Mississippi with an enrollment of over 5,000 students. MC is recently finished their transition process back to NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference and will be competing for conference and national championships in the 2016-17 academic year.

The athletic department sponsors 17 intercollegiate athletic programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Football, Golf, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Men's and Women's Tennis, Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field, Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field and Volleyball.

For more information on Mississippi College athletics, please contact David Nichols at 601-925-3234 or nichols@mc.edu.