No. 7 MGCCC can’t hold onto lead, takes tie

PERKINSTON — No. 7 Mississippi Gulf Coast was two minutes away from handing No. 6 Pearl River its first conference loss of the season. Instead, the Bulldogs had to settle for another 2-2 against their archrivals Friday at Bary Thrash Field.

The Bulldogs are now tied with Hinds for third in the MACCC, having missed an opportunity to hand the Wildcats their first loss in conference play.

"It's disappointing," Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy said. "I thought we did enough to win, but in the end, we have to finish the game."

It was the second 2-2 tie of the season. In both games, Gulf Coast has taken leads. The non-conference lead saw the Bulldogs go up twice before settling for the draw.

Jasintho Wielders (Fr., Krimpen aan den Ijssel, Netherlands/Zadkine College) got both goals for the Bulldogs. Kade Smith (So., London, England/Whitmore) set up the first by driving deep down the right win. His perfect cross across the top of the 6-yard box found the driving Wielders, who blasted it home in the 29^th minute.

He doubled the lead seven minutes into the second half. Victor Moerck (So., Vaerlose, Denmark/Lyngby Handelsgymnasium) got a steal deep in PRCC territory and set up his international teammate to double the lead.

"He's a good player," Handy said. "He scored against Pearl River the first time, so he obviously puts himself in dangerous positions. We'll need more of that down the stretch."

Pearl River pulled back goals in the 65^th and 88^th minute to split the points.

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.