Huntsville, Al. --- The Mississippi College men's soccer team showed out in a 5-1 victory against Alabama-Huntsville on Sunday afternoon (October 15, 2023). 

In what was the quickest goal so far of the season for the Choctaws, Max Buesch cleaned up a blocked shot from Sergio Garrido just past the goal line for a 1-0 lead only 34 seconds into the match. However, just two-and-a-half minutes later, the Chargers' Wesley Atoyebi placed a header into the back of the net after a cross in was just high for MC's Cole Turner to handle, leaving the open man. Thankfully for the Choctaws, it was the only goal the Chargers would put on for the remainder of the match.

In the 11th minute, MC's Guilherme Santos found himself with the ball just outside the penalty box and swiftly made his way past a defender and was left with space for his well-placed shot in the upper 90 for a 2-1 lead. It was the eighth goal of the season for the graduate student out of Portugal, and is the second most on the team. A mere two minutes later, Yamato Fujishima crossed in a pass from the right corner to an awaiting Buesch who took the first-touch shot over the head of the UAH keeper for a 3-1 lead just 15 minutes in the match. The defenses settled in for the remainder of the half, as only three total shots were taken in the following 30 minutes.

After the half, the defense continued to shine for both squads, as it looked to be that the halftime score would also be the final. However, just seven minutes before the final whistle, Fujishima scored his third goal of the season, and has now scored in back-to-back contests. Finally, in the 85th minute, Buesch sealed his hat trick and the Choctaws victory and his performance on the day now puts him at 10 goals. The number is the most on the team and tied for first in the GSC. 

On the match, both teams took an even 10 shots each, while UAH had 8 corners to only a singular one for MC. Turner in goal for MC had 4 saves on the match and the Choctaws continue to remain unbeaten in GSC play this season. Additionally, the team's 51 goals in 12 matches is first in all of Division II and is the number one scoring offense. 

The next match for the Choctaws (9-1-2, 5-0-2 GSC) is this upcoming Friday, October 20th, at 3:30 p.m for the penultimate home match of the season against the Hawks of Shorter University.