9-man Gulf Coast falls to Pearl River

PERKINSTON – Mississippi Gulf Coast had two players sent off and paid the price Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs lost 3-0 to archrival Pearl River, a bad result in a game with big implications.

"We dug ourselves a hole. Only hard work is gonna dig us out," Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy said. "We have plenty of work to do, but we can still achieve our goals."

Pearl River (8-1, 5-0 MACJC South) increased its stranglehold on first in the division by completing the regular-season sweep of Gulf Coast (9-4, 4-2).

The score was tied when a clash in the Pearl River penalty box finished with Jordan Parron being shown a red card in the 39^th minute. The Wildcats' Ray Wesson scored the game's first goal four minutes later.

The Bulldogs fell further behind in the 60^th minute when Gerrad McClaurin scored. Three minutes later, Gulf Coast defender Josh Palm picked up his second yellow, leaving his club with nine players.

Paul Millette Jr. scored in the 73 minute for the final margin.

Gulf Coast isn't likely to be able to catch Pearl River in the South standings, meaning it won't earn a bye in the state playoffs, should the Bulldogs qualify. That's an added obstacle to winning the MACJC title, plus it's very likely the Bulldogs would have to face Pearl River again and Hinds.

"We need to pick ourselves up and we can still do everything we want to do," Handy said, "it'll just be more difficult."