4 Bulldogs headed to Next Level

PERKINSTON — Four players instrumental in winning the most women's soccer games at Mississippi Gulf Coast in a two-year span in more than a decade will continue their college careers after signing to play at four-year schools.

Azlyn Dawson, Kadie Craft, Dana Brooks and Isabella Reynolds will carry on at the Next Level after leading the Bulldogs to 19 wins. That's the most for any class since the 2012 class graduated having won 23, and they stayed committed to Gulf Coast after a coaching change before their freshman season.

"These girls came in with an unknown coach and then had a chance to do something really special," coach Ryan Joiner said. "They bought in to what it takes to play at Gulf Coast, and all had the goal to play at the next level. The three schools that are getting these players are all getting class ladies and class players, as well."

AZLYN DAWSON

Dawson, a sophomore outside back from Taylorsville, will be headed to Jackson to play at NCAA Division III Belhaven.

"It's close to home, and the program was beautiful," she said. "I love the campus, I love the people and I love how it's a small campus. You'll be one-on-one with teachers, and they'll know my name. It'll help me academically."

The Blazers finished 13-6-1 and made it to the Collegiate Conference of the South championship game under coach Kimberly Harrell.

"Az is everything you want as a defender and everything you want in a training player," Joiner said. "She brings her lunch box to work every day and does everything you want her to do. I'm excited to see her at Belhaven."

Dawson, who scored three goals in her Gulf Coast career, will be taking lessons learned at Perk on to the next level of college soccer.

"It helped me to understand a college coach's mindset," she said. "It helped me with my drive for soccer and the competitiveness. It showed me I have more to give."

KADIE CRAFT

Craft, a sophomore forward from Picayune, is also headed to Belhaven.

"I knew from the moment I stepped on campus it was the place for me to be," she said. "I love the environment, the people and the coaches, and they were all well-rounded people who like the same things I like." 

She had four goals and three assists in two seasons for Gulf Coast, usually coming off the bench as an offensive sparkplug.

"Every day, she brings personality, integrity, desire," Joiner said. "She always wants to improve and is always asking questions. I'm super excited to watch her improve at Belhaven. She's going to do really well when she gets there."

Craft credits the Gulf Coast experience with helping her make the next jump. 

"Ryan Joiner helped me a lot," she said. "I texted him one day and asked if he thought Belhaven was the right fit for me. He said yes and helped me get it set up. It went from there. I always knew I wanted to keep playing, and Gulf Coast helped me realize that."

DANA BROOKS

Brooks, a sophomore All-MACCC performer from Alajuela, Costa Rica, started 27 games at central defender over the past two seasons. She's headed to Jefferson City, Mo., to play for NCAA Division II Lincoln University.

"I really liked the university," she said. "I wanted to focus on my degree, and I like the place. The coach was really nice, and I knew that was going to be my place." 

Brooks will major in computer information systems while playing for the Blue Tigers. They just completed their first season of women's soccer and compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

"She battled a lot of injuries and a surgery," Joiner said. "She came back and set her mind to getting to the highest level she could. They're getting a great player, but also a great human being. She's set the standard for defenders at Gulf Coast going forward." 

Brooks credits Gulf Coast with getting her on the radar of American universities.

"Being an international, it helped me to grow as a person and a player," she said. "Coach Joiner and Jordan (Hall) helped me grow a lot as a player. All the opportunities they gave me to play, they helped me get to the next level. I'm more mature."

ISABELLA REYNOLDS

Reynolds, a sophomore forward from Pascagoula, will play in Greeneville, Tenn., for NCAA Division II Tusculum.

"I loved the coach when I went on a visit a couple of weeks ago, and I just loved the place," she said. "I loved the people. I love and respect was Vanessa (Fyffe) is trying to do with the program."

Reynolds scored nine goals and had 13 assists over two seasons. She's a powerful free kick-taker who rebounded from adversity in style. 

"After Bella tore her ACL last year, she had some tough times," Joiner said. "She really pushed through those things physically and emotionally. She's a leader as a runner, and she's going to continue to do well."

The Pioneers play in the South Atlantic Conference, where they've won five regular-season and four conference tournament championships since 2000. 

"Ryan and Jordan helped me get to the next place," Reynolds said. "All the people here did. The healthy competition at practice and the way the coaches run the program, it all made me a better soccer player so I could go to Tusculum."

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.