Bulldogs open season with 3-0 win
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (1-0-0, 0-0-0) | 2 | 1 | 3 |
|
Southern Union State Community College (0-1-0, 0-0-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Three freshmen got their first collegiate goals, and Mississippi Gulf Coast posted a 3-0 shutout against Southern Union in Livingston, Ala., to open the 2025 women's soccer season.
"I'm really happy with today's effort," Bulldogs coach Ryan Joiner said. "It was very hot with a noon kick off, but we got to play all 25 players on the roster after we scored a couple early goals and settled the game."
It was the season-opener for both teams, and Gulf Coast wasted little time in taking the lead. Anna Katherine Thriffiley (Fr., Biloxi/St. Patrick) scored in the eighth minute, taking a pass from Linda Mustered (So., Biloxi/St. Patrick) on the wing and curling a shot inside the far corner.
Millie Jebb-Geer (So., Dronfield, England/Dronfield Henry Fanshawe) delivered a long free kick to the back post in the 16th minute. Reagan Chancelor (Fr., Hattiesburg/Oak Grove) had an easy tap-in for a 2-0 lead.
It was 3-0 when Libby Fraser (So., Cambridge, England/Hills Road College) switched play with a long pass to Josey Smith (So., Bay St. Louis/Hancock). Mia Robins (Fr., Brentwood, England/Shenfield) beat her defender to the near post and deposited Smith's pass in the net in the 68th minute.
Laurel Conley (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) and Kaylee Tardo (Fr., Madison/Germantown) backstopped the defense to record the team shutout, combining for five saves.
"We had to suffer for a little bit in the second half as they put some pressure on us," Joiner said. "But we sealed the game late. I'm really happy with the effort. The girls are still building match fitness, and we're just looking forward to the next one."
Gulf Coast will host Pensacola State on Tuesday in its sole non-conference home match. Kickoff at Bary Thrash Field will be a 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets, and the game will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch.
For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.
