No. 12 Gulf Coast stays hot with 4-1 win

No. 12 Mississippi Gulf Coast is developing a bit of an identity, and Friday's 4-1 win at Southwest Mississippi was a perfect example.

The Bulldogs expanded a one-goal halftime lead, giving up a late goal after three unanswered after the break.

"We used everybody tonight that was available and not injured," Gulf Coast coach Ryan Joiner said. "I think our depth and overall quality got us over the line tonight. We scored some scrappy goals the first two and some really good goals for the second two."

The Bulldogs (6-1, 4-0 MACCC), who have won four straight, stayed even with top-ranked Northwest Mississippi atop the conference standings.

Southwest took its first loss and is now 6-1-2, 2-1-1.

Anna Katherine Thriffiley (Fr., Biloxi/St. Patrick) opened the scoring in the 18^th minute, scoring directly off a corner kick. The keeper got her hands on the ball but couldn't keep it out.

"We knew AK was going to score direct off a corner tonight," Joiner said. "We called it pregame."

Thriffiley scored again seven minutes into the second half to double lead, with Laylah Johnson (So., Gulfport/Gulfport) grabbing the assist. Johnson scored in the 79^th minute off a pass from Caroline Joergensen (Fr., Soenderborg, Denmark/Det Blaa Gymnaisum Soenderborg).

That left the highlight goal for last. Vanessa Radojevic (Fr., Sciez, France/Lycee De La Versoie) launched a shot from more than 30 yards out two minutes later that beat the keeper high.

"She picked her head up, beat one defender," Joiner said. "Vanessa has so much quality. She's such a good player, and she's still getting comfortable with us."

Gulf Coast is off next Tuesday, so the Bulldogs have a week to prepare for No. 3 Holmes. The two sets of Bulldogs play Friday at 1 p.m. in Ridgeland.

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