CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi Christian men's soccer overcame a lengthy lightning delay and a scoreless first half to defeat Eckerd 3-0 Friday night at Robinson-Hale Stadium.
Originally scheduled for 4 p.m. at Robert P. Longabaugh Field, the match was halted just 35 seconds after kickoff when a lightning delay was called. The match was later rescheduled for 7 p.m. at Robinson-Hale Stadium.
Once play resumed, the Choctaws (1-1-1) controlled the match, finishing with a 14-6 advantage in shots and putting nine attempts on goal. Eckerd (1-2-0) managed just two shots on frame.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Mississippi Christian broke through in the 58th minute when Harry McLean finished a pass from Hayden Mulrooney to give the Choctaws a 1-0 lead.
McLean and Mulrooney connected again in the 67th minute, with McLean finding the back of the net for his second goal of the night and a 2-0 advantage.
The Choctaws continued to pressure Eckerd throughout the closing stages before Karim Gegg added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute. The unassisted goal capped the scoring and secured the 3-0 victory.
Mississippi Christian kept Eckerd without a recorded shot in the first half while generating the only two shots on goal of the opening period. Alvaro Pena forced a save early, while Gegg tested Eckerd goalkeeper Trent Murphy again in the 19th minute.
Santiago Dominguez protected the Choctaws' lead in the second half, making two saves to complete the shutout. Eckerd generated additional pressure after MC took the lead, but Dominguez turned aside attempts from Sebastian Schmalbach and Marcio Costa.
McLean led the Choctaws with two goals and four points on four shots, including three on goal. Gegg matched McLean with four shots and put three on frame. Mulrooney added two assists off the bench, while Dominguez played all 90 minutes and recorded two saves.
The victory gives Mississippi Christian its first win of the 2026 season and moves the Choctaws to 1-1-1 overall.
Mississippi Christian returns to Robert P. Longabaugh Field on Sunday when it hosts Florida Southern College at 11 a.m.
