MGCCC falls to San Jacinto, 5-3

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast men's soccer coach Chris Handy scheduled a tough weekend to open the regular season.

The Bulldogs played the second half back-to-back games Saturday at the new MGCCC Soccer Complex and took a two-goal lead before falling to San Jacinto-South 5-3. The Ravens had knocked off No. 3-ranked Eastern Florida in overtime at Perkinston on Friday.

"The reason we play these games is to see where we're at nationally," Handy said. "I thought we met the challenge early on, but in the end they're a good team and they showed it in the second half."

Gulf Coast, which opened the season with a 2-0 win over Itawamba, jumped in front in the first three minutes. A James Beattie (5-7, 155, So., Williamwood/Glasgow, Scotland) corner kick deflected in off a San Jacinto player for an own goal.

Liam Eadsforth (5-11, 145, Fr., The Radclyffe School/Manchester, England) made it 2-0 in the 35^th minute after being put in behind the Ravens defense. His shot went between the keeper's legs.

Bryce Yelverton (6-3, 205, So., Gulfport/Gulfport) made two huge saves with a minute to play in the first half. He dove to his left to stop one drive, then smothered a rebound attempt to help the Bulldogs maintain the advantage.

San Jacinto rebounded in the second half, though. The Ravens scored twice in a two-minute span to tie it in the 52^nd minute, then took the lead with 31 minutes to play.

Gulf Coast went down to 10 men after a second yellow card, and San Jacinto made it 4-2 with 10 minutes to play.

Ian Story (6-2, 185, So., Pass Christian/Gulfport), who had jostled the defender on the first Gulf Coast goal, scored one legitimately with two minutes left to make it 4-3.

The Ravens (2-0) put it away with 26 seconds left, but the Bulldogs came away with the experience of playing two days in a row and a good early season yardstick.

"In tournament play, you have to do it." Handy said. "That's why we schedule it during the year. If we have any expectations of winning state, we're going to have to play back to back. It's important to see what that feels like.

"I thought, for the most part, our guys responded well. The guys get to see where they're at and have something to work toward."

The Bulldogs return to action Friday when they travel to Pearl River for the first MACJC contest of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCAthletics on Twitter and BulldogLIVE on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.