Written by Eli Dean \/\/ Photo by Macy Cox<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An otherwise typical road soccer game had extra meaning as fifth-year defender Josh Fulton and fifth-year midfielder Seth Albritton squared off against their former team at Mississippi College (MC) Sept. 8. Fulton transferred during the fall 2021 semester and Albritton soon followed in the spring of 2022, and while this wasn\u2019t the first game the duo played against the Choctaws, this was the first meeting on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTwo years ago, we were supposed to play at MC, but our whole team got [COVID-19], and the game got canceled, so that was devastating to me because I couldn\u2019t wait to play them,\u201d Fulton said. \u201cLast year, we lost on a free kick, which was another painful memory, so this was my last chance to play against my old team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Harding took a 1-0 lead late in the second half, Mississippi College responded with a game-tying goal three minutes later. After a back and forth few minutes, Fulton was able to pass the ball towards fifth-year forward Camilo Porto for the game-winning assist at the 77-minute mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen Camilo put the ball behind the net I just went nuts,\u201d Fulton said. \u201cI was punching the air, I was so happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0After an immediate rush of emotions, Fulton said he didn\u2019t realize at first that he played a part in the game-winning play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\u201cRight as I was walking back over [to the sidelines], I realized that I was the one who played him that ball, and it didn\u2019t click right away,\u201d Fulton said. \u201cI was just thinking that we can\u2019t let them score again, because if I get the game-winning assist against my old team and coaches, it\u2019ll feel like a Disney movie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The game was also the first time the Bison soccer program defeated Mississippi College after four previous losses, and Albritton said he couldn\u2019t contain his excitement after the win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was so pumped to be able to play them again this year and on their field, and I thought about [the game] all summer leading up to it,\u201d Albritton said. \u201cSo to finally beat them like that was just the greatest feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both players started their college journey together, with the two meeting during one of Albritton\u2019s college visits at Mississippi College. After Fulton transferred to Harding during his junior season, Albritton reached out to Fulton while in the transfer portal and felt like Harding was the right place for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was a little thing after a little thing that I felt like the Lord was guiding me and leading me,\u201d Albritton said. \u201cI didn\u2019t really know what Harding was except some stuff I\u2019d heard from Josh, but I felt like the Lord was calling me to leave, and I\u2019m so happy I ended up at Harding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Head soccer coach Jon Ireland said he was proud of the way his players performed in the win but also took notice of what the game meant to Fulton and Albritton at the beginning of their last collegiate soccer season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was an incredible moment for them to beat their former team, and they both played a huge role in the win over Mississippi College,\u201d Ireland said. \u201cI was so excited for our team but especially for Josh and Seth. It was a big win and a moment Josh and Seth will always remember.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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