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Mississippi Brilla Hosts Mississippi College Night on June 18


Mississippi Brilla’s talented pro soccer team is loaded with Mississippi College standouts like Brian Vasquez, Kase Kingery and Phillip Buffington.

When Brilla faces the Houston Dutch Lions on June 18, lots of MC fans are expected to be in the stands cheering the home team. The Premier Soccer League game will mark the 2nd annual Mississippi College Night. MC faculty, staff and students with an ID will be admitted free at Clinton High Arrows Field.

There will be much more happening to attract fans for the game that evening starting at 7 p.m. Concession stands will be open with delicious burgers served right off the grill. Sno Biz treats will be there, and a halftime concert is booked, too. Kids are invited to get autographs of players.

For Mississippi Brilla Founder and President Rusty Bryant, Mississippi College Night is shaping up to be a terrific event that should draw hundreds of metro Jackson soccer fans. The first two games of the season attracted an average of about 750 fans, but MC Night could bump up the numbers.

The MC-Brilla-Clinton bonds remain strong.

“We love our relationships with Mississippi College, especially with me being a graduate and living in Clinton my whole life,” Bryant says.

A former soccer player at Clinton High and Mississippi College, Bryant launched the Brilla soccer ministry 17 years ago. The 1996 MC graduate seeks to utilize soccer as a ministry to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ.

Players like Vasquez, Kingery, Buffington, Josh Barrera and Stephen Roberson add to the close Mississippi College-Brilla bonds.

A senior midfielder from Houston, Texas, Brian Vasquez was named an NCCAA All-American after leading all NCAA Division II players with 17 assists. He ended his college career as the school’s leader in assists with 40. He also scored 7 goals during his senior season.

MC midfielder/defender Kase Kingery is in his 3rd season with Brilla. He’s a Starkville, Mississippi native. Other Mississippi College soccer products like Buffington, a forward from Jackson, Barrera, a defender from Houston, Texas and Roberson, a forward from Madison, make MC Night a must-see game.

On the 29-man Brilla roster, there are players from around the globe: from Brazil, England, Serbia, Chile and Spain, in addition to those from across the USA.

Two players bring Clinton connections. James Gulley, a University of Tulsa soccer player, is a Clintonian. So is Kellen Gulley, who played soccer for the professional Chicago Fire.

Sandi Beason, public information officer for the Clinton Public School District, is delighted to see Brilla back on Clinton High Arrows turf for another season.

“Brilla games are a great opportunity for soccer fans to cheer on a professional team right in their backyard,” Beason said. “It’s a fun family environment that our whole community can take pride in.”

To follow the Mississippi Brilla on Twitter go to @msbrillafc and fans seeking more information can call 601-924-3475 or try www.brillasoccer.org.