Reynolds assists twice in 2-0 win

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast extended its women's soccer win streak to four games by registering the second 2-0 shutout in three games, beating East Central.

Gulf Coast got goals in each half to beat the Warriors with 90 minutes of strong play. Isabella Reynolds (Fr., Pascagoula/Pascagoula) had two assists to power the attack.

"The first half was really good. I think that's the best we've played with our shape," Gulf Coast coach Ryan Joiner said. "The second half, we played a lot of players. I think we played all but one or two. We got some girls back from injury. If we can continue to build and play like that, we think our season will go pretty well."

The Bulldogs are now 4-1. East Central is now 1-2-1.

Kyla Smith (Fr., Hurley/East Central) moved into third place in the MACCC with her sixth goal. It was a beautiful long shot that found the upper-right corner in the 13^th minute.

"I'm happy for her," Joiner said. "She continues to score goals, but she just continues to work for us. She does the right things every day. I think she was a little bit winded by the end, but that's the kind of kid she is. She's going to give us everything for 90 minutes."

The second goal came in large part thanks to an inch-perfect corner off the boot of Reynolds. She found the head of Morgan Pickering (So., Wiggins/Stone) in the 6-yard box in the 59^th minute. Pickering got her second in two games by barely moving her head.

"That's a set piece we put in on Monday," Joiner said. "It's something different we put in for their defensive setup. It was a great delivery and an easy tap-in. Morgan got herself free." 

The backline keyed by Tiffany Beasley (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs), Neave Ross (Fr., Whitley Bay, England/Whitley Bay) and Azlyn Dawson (Fr., Taylorsville/West Jones) cleaned almost everything up in front of both keepers, who split time. Leah Capiola (Fr., Wiggins/Stone) made a key early save on a breakaway, and A'Leigh Coleman (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) was in the right spot each time ECCC challenged.

"Tiffany was great tonight," Joiner said. "Neave was great tonight, and Az is becoming one of the best defenders in our league," Joiner said. "We got to play both our goalkeepers, which is always good. A clean sheet is always good, so kudos to them."

Gulf Coast has a week off before beginning MACCC play Friday with a trip to Pearl River. The teams met in August, with the Wildcats coming back for a 3-2 win. Kickoff in Poplarville is set for 5 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.