JACKSON, MISS. -Sophomore midfielder Danny Chavez will cherish his first match-winning goal in a McMurry University uniform for some time.
 
The Fort Worth, Texas, native got loose among the back end of the Millsaps College defense and fired home a War Hawks' score in the late stages of the first half Friday, Sept. 1, at Harper Davis Field. Chavez's second career Maroon and White offensive tally stood the test of the remaining time on the clock, sending head coach Marquis Muse's squad to the program's first season opener victory since 2017.
 
Fellow Class of 2026 member Griffin Cardwell, patrolling the visiting team's goal and a sound defensive front near him, kept the Majors' offense at bay for 90 minutes. Cardwell posted three saves en route to his third career clean sheet. McMurry could have added even more digits on the scoreboard, holding a 15-8 shots advantage, as sophomore defender Ahmad Al-Hendi (Dallas, Texas) and sophomore forward Brennan Anderson (Wichita Falls, Texas) combined for seven attempts with two being on frame.
 
McMurry continues its season-opening road trip on Sunday, Sept. 3, facing off against Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference member Centenary College.