Bulldogs outscore Eagles at Meridian

The Mississippi Gulf Coast women's soccer team got their first win in thrilling fashion Friday night, scoring three second-half goals to win 4-3 at Meridian.

Kadie Craft (Fr., Picayune/Picayune) and Elissa Viquez (Fr., St. Rose, La./Destrehan) scored in a five-minute span to break a 2-2 tie and lift the Bulldogs to 1-1.

"That was a fun game," new Gulf Coast coach Ryan Joiner said. "We were really good after the first 15 minutes, and then Meridian scored. Once we got our foot on the ball and started to play a little bit, we were the better team for a long portion of the game."

Craft scored her second of the night off an assist by Kyla Smith (Fr., Hurley/East Central) in the 68^th minute. Lainey Cunningham (So., Wiggins/Stone) started the play from back, and Smith played a ball across the top of the 18-yard box.

"I don't know if she'll score too many goals of that quality ever," Joiner said. "That's one of the best goals you'll see."

Viquez was sent in by Valentina Marin (So., Bogota, Colombia/Colegio Madre Matilde) five minutes later and got a shot past the keeper as she brought her down for a two-goal advantage.

Meridian scored a goal late, but Gulf Coast held on.

"We didn't defend well enough in certain area and had some panic moments," Joiner said. "But overall, it's a road game in this conference, which is always tough. Meridian is good up front, so we've got to learn to play against teams that have talented strikers. Overall, I'm happy."

The Eagles (1-1) opened the scoring in the 28^th minute, but Marin struck from distance 10 minutes later to send the teams into halftime tied.

Craft's first goal came six minutes into the second half when a free kick from Neave Ross (Fr., Whitley Bay, England/Whitley Bay) in the center circle bounced past the Meridian defender. Craft pounced and put the Bulldogs up for the first time.

The Eagles scored in the 65^th minute to tie, but the Craft-Viquez outburst started just three minutes later.

The offensive outburst is a welcome site after last year's team had trouble putting the ball in the net. The Bulldogs only scored three or more goals in a game twice.

Gulf Coast is on the road again Tuesday with a game at Pensacola State. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

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