On a night that Centre fired a staggering 36 total shots (16 on goal), it took just 2 for the Colonels to pick up an SAA-opening win.
Tessa Miles fired a winner home in the 83rd minute as Centre knocked off Millsaps, 2-1.
The Colonel attack began less than 3 minutes in when
Claire Cavacini's first try of the night skipped just wide of the left post.
Meg Ralston nearly gave Centre the lead in the 7th minute but a diving stop negated the chance. Centre continued to dominate the ball and field position but could not find a way to take the lead. Millsaps would take advantage off a corner kick in the 29th minute as the Majors were able to slip a shot home off the corner to break the scoreless tie.
Alexis Kronenthal nearly had the equalizer in the 31st minute, but her shot clanged off the left post and was cleared away. The persistence finally paid off for Centre in the 40th minute as
Grace Plummer took a pass from
Annie Walz and fired it into the upper-90 of the goal for the tie going to halftime.
Centre came out aggressive to start the second half and nearly took the lead as 2 shots within 49 seconds of the half starting had to cleared off the goal line by the Millsaps D.
Claire Mullen and
Claire Cavacini followed with quality strikes in the 49th minute but both were set aside by the Major keeper. The Colonel attack continued as the half went on but did not see a true chance for the lead until Kronenthal had another shot bounce off the post in the 75th minute. The play could have been a deflating moment, but the Colonels kept poise and would be rewarded minutes later. With just under 8 minutes to go,
Tessa Miles found space and lifted a ball over the Millsaps keeper's outstretched hands for a goal into the high net to finally give Centre the lead it so richly deserved throughout the half. With the lead, the defense locked down, not allowing Millsaps a chance to threaten for the tie before the final horn sounded as the Colonels picked up a big 3 points to start conference play.
In total, Centre finished with a 36-2 edge in total shots and 16-2 on goal. Centre's offense also drew 15 corners on the night, while the defense surrendered just 2.
Madeline Redmon picked up another win in goal, needing to stop just a single shot. Centre will go for a 2-0 start in league play on Sunday at Rhodes. Kickoff from Memphis is set for 1:00pm ET.
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