BROOKHAVEN — The start to the 2024 MAIS Girls Soccer season was a tough one for Brookhaven Academy Tuesday evening. Hattiesburg Forerunners capitalized on defensive miscues to take a 3-2 victory over the Cougars. 

Brookhaven Academy opened the scoring midway through the first half when a corner kick delivered into the box could not be scrambled away. Ava Calcote, senior defender and captain, made the last attacking touch on the ball as it bundled over the goal line. 

Hattiesburg quickly responded with a goal of their own with 10 minutes to go to halftime. A defender failed to clear the ball. Head Coach Alex Brown told his team at halftime they were struggling to win 50-50 balls and needed to do better.

Brookhaven Academy played better in the second half. The Cougars created some more chances and put pressure on the Hattiesburg back line. Livi Fortenberry, a freshman forward, scored the go-ahead goal with 26 minutes left in the game. 

Karen Hernandez and Kendra Quinn had put goals on target and Fortenberry shot the rebound into the goal. Celebrations were short lived as Hattiesburg responded with a goal to tie it a minute later. 

“I think we learned we need to work better together, talk more and improve on our ball skills,” Fortenberry said. “We need to connect passes. I think we can do it. I think it might have been the first game jitters. Once we progress in the season we will get better. I thought my goal would get everyone amped up.” 

Conditions were not conducive for the squad’s play style either. Brookhaven Academy has a lot of speed up front but soggy, slippery conditions made controlling the ball a challenge. Fortenberry said the girls had a hard time running at full speed. 

Hattiesburg scored the winning goal on a turnover following a goal kick to take a 3-2 lead. Brookhaven Academy made a tactical decision to change the defensive backline from 4 to 3 to try and attack in the final minutes of the game. It was unsuccessful. 

Brown told the girls after the game the second half was much better. He added the game is a learning experience. Brookhaven Academy will have to figure out how to play together. 

“We did a lot of things well but we made a lot of small mistakes. They were too good for us to continue to make some of those small mistakes,” Brown said. “We will get it sorted in training. The girls played with a great effort and a great attitude tonight. That is all I can ask for the first game of the year.” 

Fortenberry said the goals she hopes to achieve this year is to help her team get better as a squad and help by scoring more goals. She may step up into the goal scoring role her sister Regan Fortenberry had before she graduated last year. 

One bright point in the match is the Cougars may have found the spark plug they need on offense. Kendra Quinn, who just transferred from Bogue Chitto, hustled in the final third to create more chances for the squad Tuesday night.

“She is a really good player. She communicates and passes well,” Fortenberry said. “She will be a good help to this team.” 

Brookhaven Academy travels to Yazoo City to play Manchester Academy Friday night. JV plays at 5:30 p.m. followed by varsity at 6:30 p.m.