Box Score
FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga.- The Belhaven men's soccer team didn't miss a beat heading into conference play on Thursday night, topping Emmanuel College (GA) 5-0 in the opening game of the Southern States Athletic Conference schedule. The Blazers, ranked 4th in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, ran the table in their slate of non-conference games and remain unbeaten after Thursday's win.

Belhaven (8-0, 1-0 SSAC) got on the board in the 30th minute of the match when senior forward Loic Miliani planted his second goal of the season into the back of the net to make it a 1-0 game. Miliani, who leads the NAIA in assists (7), is usually setting up scoring chances for junior forward Will Monsour. However, this time it was Monsour who fed the ball to Miliani and in the process earned his fifth assist of the 2012 campaign.

Emmanuel (5-2-1, 0-1 SSAC) stayed within a goal until sophomore mid-fielder Victor France blasted his first goal of the season past goalie Anel Lilic extending Belhaven's lead to 2-0. Sophomore defender David Cole earned his first assist on the play. The Blazers then increased the lead to 3-0 nine minutes later on junior forward Felipe Ferreira's first goal of the year.

France had the assist and then would score his second goal of the contest a few seconds later without the aid of an assist. France entered Thursday's match looking for his first point of the year and ended up coming away with five thanks to his two goals and one assist.

On a night of firsts, it was fitting that junior forward Jake Benton capped the contest with goal number one of the campaign in the 90th minute. Junior goalie Carl Blundell picked up the assist, his first of the season.

“You can look at the score line and see it was a 5-0 game, but give credit to Emmanuel as they made it very difficult for us to break them down,” said Belhaven Head Coach Brian McMahon. “They had plenty of opportunities, but credit to our guys for showing patience. We didn't get frustrated and stayed true to how we play and eventually we were able to get the break through.”

Belhaven had four players with two shots in the match, led by France who found the back of the net with both attempts. Thursday's match showcased the depth of the team with seven different players having a hand in Belhaven's five goals. Four of the goals were scored by non-starters. As a team, the Blazers outshot the Lions 12-8. Blundell played all 90 minutes in goal, where he made two saves en route to his eighth win of the season.

Eddie Green led Emmanuel's offense with three shots, including one on goal. Lilic recorded 90 minutes in goal for the Lions and suffered the loss. He allowed all five goals and turned away one Belhaven shot attempt.

Belhaven will be back in action at Brewton-Parker College on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM.