Lady Bulldogs blank No. 19 Pearl River

POPLARVILLE — Mississippi Gulf Coast coach Jackie Rhodes thought her team would make more noise in the MACJC this year.

The first South Division game of the season proved her correct as the Lady Bulldogs went to No. 19 Pearl River and defeated the two-time defending state champs 1-0.

"We just played the game they were supposed to play," Gulf Coast coach Jackie Rhodes said. "We had a whole week to prepare and they did everything they were taught this week."

Erin Longsden (5-5, Fr., Droylsden Academy/Manchester, England) converted a cross from L.T. Massey (5-6, Fr., Oak Grove/Hattiesburg) in the 80^th minute for the game's only goal.

The attack came quickly off a turnover, which is already an early trademark of this Lady Bulldogs team.

"We don't possess the ball, so we have to work off the counter," Rhodes said. "That's really our gameplan, to counterattack. We're good at it. We're smart and know how to react when the ball is turned over."

The well-organized Gulf Coast defense allowed the Lady Wildcats 13 shots on goal, but most were from outside. Kassady Walters (5-9, So., Harrison Central/Saucier) stopped all of them.

Pearl River is 1-1.

Gulf Coast (1-0-1) returns to Perkinston on Tuesday for their first South Division home game. Jones County visits the new MGCCC Soccer Complex for a 5 p.m. game.

Jones also received votes in the latest NJCAA rankings.

"This is obviously a confidence booster for us," Rhodes said. "We've got another tough game Tuesday against Jones."

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