Bulldogs hang tough with No. 2 Johnson County

PHOTO BY ARIANA RIEBEN/MGCCC

Mississippi Gulf Coast didn't back down from No. 2 Johnson County in Pensacola, Fla., on Sunday.

The Bulldogs lost 1-0 to last year's national runners-up, but they forced more saves out of the Cavaliers keeper and had a penalty sqved in the final 10 minutes.

"We were a really good team the first 20, 25 minutes," Gulf Coast coach Ryan Joiner said. "Then they scored a goal and we kind of sat back and defended. We yielded a lot of space we didn't want to, but the second half we were on top of them for 40 of the 45 minutes. We played very well."

Laurel Conley (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) had 11 saves for Gulf Coast, outdueled by JCCC's Avery Young. She stopped all 13 Bulldogs shots on goal.

Johnson County improved to 4-0, while Gulf Coast allowed its first goal of the season to fall to 2-1.

Gulf Coast opens MACCC play Sept. 16 when Meridian travels to Bary Thrash Field. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

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