GOODMAN, MS- The Hinds men's soccer team picked up their first conference win Friday (September 8^th) against the Holmes Community College Bulldogs in just the Eagles' second divisional battle.
 
The Eagles on the road in Goodman were able to collect three goals against their opponent while posting a shut-out performance on defense, leaving a final score of 3-0 in favor of the Eagles. Head coach Doug Williams stressed the importance of the win, stating that any points posted towards the playoffs are important. For each division win, a team earns 3 points while a tie earns 1 point and a loss earns 0. The points for this win are, therefore, vital indeed.
 
On the team's performance, Williams commented, "I thought we played really well, and I am excited to see us find our identity as a team." On finding this identity, Williams states, "Each year, it is different. Every team has a different dynamic as you get a different group of guys together. The coaches can't be on the field, so the players have to learn to coordinate their actions together. We call it chemistry, but it goes deeper than that. I think our guys are just starting to get it."
 
The Eagles were able to get some key performances from several players including Sophomore Midfielder J.P. Burke (Brandon, MS). Burke was able to score a goal for the Eagles in the 80^th minute. Burke also assisted on a goal by Josh Parron (Brandon) in the 75^th minute, which came from a free kick. The two goals aided by Burke would seemingly seal the game on the heels of the 70^th minute goal by Gabriel Dos Santos (Brasilia, Brazil).
 
The performance of the Eagles was not solely an offensive show. The men's soccer team was able to cash-in on a shut-out performance by Cesar Peterson (Terry), his first of the season. Peterson produced three saves in his play on Friday giving his team the security it needed to win the game.
 
The Eagles are now looking to their next conference game against East Central Community College on Tuesday, September 12^th. The Hinds Eagles are hoping to continue to improve their chemistry against the league-leading Warriors. The Eagles will take on the Warriors in Raymond at the Eagles' Tom Sheppard Field in a game set for 7 p.m.