No. 17 Bulldogs lose to No. 18 LSU-E in OT

No. 17 Mississippi Gulf Coast hit the road Friday to open the 2021 fall season and got a little extra non-conference workout, falling to No. 18 LSU Eunice 1-0 in overtime.

"We played a defensive game," Bulldogs coach Jackie Rhodes said. "We battled for 97 minutes defensively. That was a very, very good team we played. They had pace and were physical and we did a very good job of holding our own. They didn't back down and they were ready for a challenge."

Citaly Santibanez scored in the 98^th minute for the Bengals in the first game of the season for both teams. The Bulldogs play in NJCAA Division II, while LSU-E plays Division I.

The Bengals won the last meeting at Perkinston in 2019.

"We lost 7-0 to them the last time we played them," Rhodes said. "To be able to turn around and be able to compete against a team like that says about where this program is and where it's going."

She said the Bulldogs' backline was organized and played well. Sophomore keeper Skyler Steede (So., Lucedale/George County) was outstanding, as expected.

"Skyler had a great game," Rhodes said. "She had to come up with some big saves for us. She's going to be really good for us this year. She faced a lot this game." 

Gulf Coast plays its first home game next Friday when Motlow State, another Division I opponent, visits Perkinston. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Season passes are available at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets.

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