Gulf Coast hosting chances still alive despite tie

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast gave up a late goal to wind up tying No. 16 Hinds on Friday night, but the Bulldogs still have a path to a home playoff game.

Gulf Coast finished up 2-2 at Bary Thrash Field and now stands 10-5-1 overall, 6-3-1 in the MACCC. The fifth-place Bulldogs host third-place Itawamba on Tuesday, and a win likely means the two teams will play again in the NJCAA Gulf District quarterfinals at Perk on Oct. 31.

Hinds (12-2-2, 6-2-2) is in fourth place, and at least one of the still-complicated playoff scenarios has Gulf Coast traveling to Raymond to play the Eagles. Several point to ICC being the opponent, either at Perk or in Fulton.

After captain Alexander Mink (So., Long Beach/Long Beach) scored midway through the first half, the teams went to the locker room with the game knotted at 1. A lightning goal 16 seconds after the break gave the Bulldogs the lead.

They lobbed the kickoff into the Hinds end, and Hayden Thomas (So., Clinton/Clinton) won a second ball. He played Michael Baty (Fr., Gulfport/St. Patrick) into the box, and his one-time strike pierced the upper-90 

Hinds was able to equalize in the final 10 minutes to split the points.

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