Four-goal flurry powers No. 5 MGCCC

PERKINSTON — No. 5 Mississippi Gulf Coast exploded for four goals in 12 minutes early in the second half to run away from Itawamba in the final regular-season match. The Bulldogs won 6-1 to keep rolling in the postseason.

"I think we had a little slow start," Gulf Coast coach Ryan Joiner said. "The response in the second half was great after some adjustments tactically. It was a fantastic effort for them. I'm really happy with the win tonight."

Linda Mustered (So., Biloxi/St. Patrick) finished with two goals and an assist, and Laylah Johnson (So., Gulfport/Gulfport) also scored twice. 

Gulf Coast had already clinched a home playoff game and finished the regular season 11-2-1 overall and 9-1-1 in the conference, tied for second. The Bulldogs will be the third seed in the NJCAA Gulf South District Tournament. They'll host Meridian in a quarterfinal at Bary Thrash Field on Friday. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.

The game will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch, and tickets are on sale at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets.

Itawamba (6-6-4, 3-5-3) will be the sixth seed in the tournament.

The Bulldogs got off to a quick start when Mustered blistered a shot from a sharp angle in the ninth minute. Anna Katherine Thriffiley (Fr., Biloxi/St. Patrick) assisted.

Laylah Johnson (So., Gulfport/Gulfport) banged a second goal off the crossbar six minutes later after Ava Green (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) set her up.

Itawamba cut its deficit in half in the 24^th minute, and Gulf Coast needed a halftime team talk to get going.

Reagan Chancelor (Fr., Hattiesburg/Oak Grove) converted a loose ball after a corner for a 3-1 lead in the 48^th minute, and Johnson's second came a minute later. Mustered assisted.

Mustered got her second on a long-range shot in the 51^st minute. She has six goals in the last three games and a five-game point streak with five assists.

"We've been moving her around positions," Joiner said. "She's scoring goals, doing little things right. She probably missed another two tonight she could have had, but she'll finish those come postseason time. She's really playing well at the right time."

Kayleigh Crosslin (Fr., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) got her own long-range blast in the 59^th minute after being set up by Chloe Brock (Fr., Gulfport/Gulfport).

The Bulldogs have outscored their last four opponents 24-1 and are 4-0-1 in the last five.

"When (assistant coach) Jordan (Hall) and I talked early in the season, we wanted to be peaking at the right time," Joiner said. "I think the last couple of years we've probably started fast and ended slow. We're scoring some good goals right now and everybody's contributing. The whole team has been on the field and we're looking forward to Friday's contest against Meridian."

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