WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic men's soccer team played its second game of the young 2021 season and first at the Rinker Athletic Campus where the No. 13 ranked Sailfish haven't lost a game since 2018. Tonight they bested a Mississippi College side who is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and favorites in the Gulf South Conference by a score of 4-1. 

The two sides played a close opening 25 minutes with each side splitting possession and creating a handful of outside chances at goal. The best of the chances was created by Quenzi Huerman in the 17th minute who was able to glide by two Choctaw defenders on the edge of the box before being denied by keeper Alejandro Chavaria. Ten minutes later, Huerman was able to break the scoreless tie as he found the bottom-right corner. PBA winger Fred Ferreira cut inside from the left sideline and found Huerman at the top of the box to put the 'Fish up 1-0. Mississippi College made a few threats of their own in the opening half but Sailfish keeper Albert Escuin was up to the task as he made four saves to keep the game 1-0 heading into the locker room.

The play was pretty even in the first half, but PBA held the lead and it only took the Sailfish four minutes in the second half to double that lead. Nicholas Oberrauch got behind the Choctaws defense and his cut-back cross found Ferreira in the middle of the box who settled the ball with his first touch and beat the keeper with a right-footed shot with his second. The 2-0 lead was short-lived however as Mississippi College hit back two minutes later beating Escuin for the first time. 

The game tightened up for the next 30 minutes as PBA was able to comfortably repel multiple Mississippi College attacks. However as the Choctaws had to push forward for the equalizer, the Sailfish put the game away in the 82nd minute. PBA's Giancarlo Triulzi played a ball behind the defense and Bicho Barquin was able touch the ball around the charging keeper and find the back of the net to make it 3-1 Sailfish.

One minute later, Triulzi streaked down the right flank and his cross found Tim Noeding who scored the final goal to give PBA the 4-1 win. In typical Sailfish style, their bench played a huge role in the game as substitutes combined for the final two goals. PBA wore out the Choctaws with their depth and as they gave different 12 players the chance to contribute to the game off the bench.

Overall, the Sailfish outshot Mississippi College 13-11 and 8-5 in chances on goal as both goalkeepers made four saves. The Sailfish move to 2-0 on the season with the victory and are set to start a Texas road trip next week. The 'Fish will face two quality opponents in No. 24 ranked St. Mary's on Sept. 9 and Texas A&M International on Sept. 11.