Box Score OXFORD, Ala. – The men's soccer team from the Mississippi University for Women helped itself in its bid to secure a United Small College Athletic Association (USCAA) post-season berth, thanks to its 5-4 road win at Talladega College. The Owls (7-7) climbed back to the all-important .500 level versus the Tornadoes and entrenched itself in the USCAA poll (currently No. 7).
 
The USCAA takes six teams for its championship tourney.
 
Versus Talladega, the two halves of soccer could not have been more different. The first half was low scoring and defensive, while the second 45 minutes saw seven-of-the-nine goals in the match scored, four of which came in the final 10 minutes alone. It was like riding "It's a Small World" versus "Space Mountain" at Disney World.
 
"It was a gritty game from the beginning and very physical," Head Coach Louis Alexander said. "For the most part, our guys kept their head during pivotal points and played, which is what stood out most. We executed specific things we've worked on in training which was great to see."
 
The Owls broke the seal on scoring in the 30th minute. Freshman Vini Lopes sent the ball to Kai VanCourt, who put it past TC goalkeeper Leonard Richardson to give The W the 1-0 advantage.
 
MUW kept the Tornadoes at bay until the final two minutes of the opening segment, when the hosts knotted the match at 1-1 heading to the intermission.
 
MUW defender Reggi Pech started the second-half merry-go-round of scoring, netting his first goal of the season in the 59th minute of action. Less than 10 minutes later, Asahel Salgado upped the Owls advantage to 3-1 on his second goal of 2021.
 
Talladega got a goal back in the 74th minute to make it 3-2. All was quiet until then 81st minute and the tit-for-tat, four-goal barrage, down the stretch.
 
It began with VanCourt's second goal of the day – and fourth of the season – in the 81st minute, unassisted. That was answered by the Tornadoes three minutes later, 4-3.
 
At the 87:00 mark, Paulo Carneiro scored what would turn out to be the match-deciding goal. VanCourt got the assist as the Owls went up 5-3. A TC tally in the 89th minute made it the final 5-4 score.
 
Both teams took 13 shot attempts for the match. However, MUW was very efficient with its tries, putting nine (69 percent) on-goal. VanCourt led the assault with his four attempts and three on-frame, finishing the two goals and one assist.
 
Pech put both of his shots on-goal. Lopes had 2-of-3 of his shots on-goal, as well.
 
Owls goalie David McCutchen earned three saves.