MGCCC blows out Meridian 8-3

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast won its 22^nd straight MACJC South game Friday, blasting Meridian 8-3 at the MGCCC Soccer Complex.

The Bulldogs (11-2, 8-0 South) clinched their second straight division title two games ago and won their fourth straight overall.

Jordan Hall (So, Manchester, England/Royton and Crompton) had two goals and four assists, and Max Johnson (Fr, Rugby, England/Harris Church of England Academy) scored twice and assisted on another.

"I'm happy everybody got to play," said Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy.

Handy has been stressing to this team the importance of putting away teams quickly in the playoffs, where games on back-to-back days can wear down a team.

Gulf Coast looked to be pulling away with goals from Mathew Edwards and Caleb Counselman in the first 11 minutes, but Meridian got a penalty kick four minutes later.

Johnson and C.J. Smith (Fr, Brampton, Ontario/David Suzuki Secondary School) pushed the lead to 4-1, but Meridian scored with 14 minutes to play in the half. The Eagles added another in the first minute of the second half and it was a one-goal game.

"We have to learn to play mistake-free soccer," Handy said. "That's what you have to do in the playoffs to advance."

Hall and Johnson restored order with goals before Brayan Resendiz (Fr, Horn Lake/Horn Lake) converted a penalty. Hall closed out the scoring with a 16 minutes left.

The Bulldogs entertain Holmes next Friday, their last before playing the winner of the quarterfinal between the North No. 2 seed and South No. 3. The MACJC semifinals will be played Oct. 28 at Holmes.

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