Bulldogs tie No. 5 JC thanks to Smith brace

In a typically crazy game in Ellisville, Mississippi Gulf Coast battled No. 5 Jones to a 3-3 tie Tuesday night, leaving with a good early-season result.

"I thought we got more comfortable as the game went on," Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy said. "We played very, very hard, which I'm proud of. There are still some moments we could have been more mature in our play, but in that intense of a game this early in the season, I'm happy with that. We can get better, I know for sure."

Kade Smith (Fr., London, England/Whitmore) led the Bulldogs (0-1-1) with two goals. He quickly put his team up by converting a pass across the top of the box from Victor Moerck (Fr., Vaerloese, Denmark/Lyngby Handelsgymnasium) in the fourth minute.

Jones (2-0-1) tied it up 10 minutes later, but Smith galloped on a long run in the 23^rd minute to make it 2-1. 

"He is a dangerous player," Handy said. "I think as the season goes on, he's going to get more and more comfortable in this league. He'll continue to make a name for himself."

Jones made it 2-2 before halftime, and Gulf Coast would take its last lead in the 55^th minute. Zach McWillie (So., Jackson/Murrah) launched a long throw into the box which Moerck nodded to goal to beat the keeper.

Gulf Coast couldn't make the lead stand up, though, with Jones getting the final goal with 18 minutes to play. 

"It was disappointing to go up three times and not win," Handy said, "but it's a lesson we'll learn."

Gulf Coast will play its first home game Friday when Andrew College visits. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets, with the game streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch.

For more information on MGCCC's 11 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.