Bulldogs ready for the big stage

WICHITA, KANSAS — Mississippi Gulf Coast will take a monumental step in the history of the program Monday when the Bulldogs play for the first time in the NJCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship here.

There's most definitely something to prove when they take the field at the Stryker Complex.

"The people who get in these things are the ones who have consistently shown they belonged," Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy said. "We want to show we belong in Game 1, and that will give us some confidence going forward. Beyond that, we want to win."

The ninth-seeded Bulldogs play fourth-seeded Georgia Military at 6:30 p.m. All games will be streamed exclusively at http://njcaa.org/network. Fans can purchase a day pass for $10 or a tournament pass for $25. All tournament information can be found at https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/msoc/div2/index.

Gulf Coast will be looking for revenge in the opener, having lost to GMC 4-0 in the second game of the season in August. MGCCC gave up all the goals in the second half.

"We want to show our growth," Handy said. "We need to be consistent defensively. I'm confident that if the game is tight late, we can manufacture the goals we need. We have got to be consistent defensively, make sure we're helping each other when we get in 1v1 situations.

"Offensively, we need to work together to make sure we always have opportunities to keep the ball. In the end, this game is about managing it and making sure we're supporting each other all over the field. After that, we'll fight for it in the end."

NJCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament

Wichita, Kansas

Stryker Complex

Pool D

Monday, Nov. 15

No. 4 Georgia Military vs. No. 9 Gulf Coast, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 16

No. 5 Parkland vs. No. 9 Gulf Coast, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 17

No. 4 Georgia Military vs. No. 5 Parkland, 6:30 p.m.

Semifinals

Friday, Nov. 19

Semifinal 1, 4 p.m.

Semifinal 2, 6:30 p.m.

Championship

Saturday, Nov. 20

Final, 4 p.m.

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