Johnson’s 2 goals, stiff defensive effort lead to opening shutout

Mississippi Gulf Coast got its 2024 women's soccer season off to a sterling start Friday, shutting out Pellissippi State 4-0 in Fulton. Laylah Johnson scored two goals in the first 16 minutes, and the Bulldogs never looked back.

"We really set up in a good shape today and changed systems a couple of times, which gave them fits," Gulf Coast coach Ryan Joiner said. "We were good on the counterattack. We played everybody tonight 15 minutes, even some girls who were coming off injury. We finished our chances tonight, which we didn't do during preseason, which was nice. It means we're growing. I'm happy with 4-0, but I'm more happy with the clean sheet than anything."

Linda Mustered (Fr., Biloxi/St. Patrick) broke Johnson in with a good piece of midfield hold-up play, playing a ball down the left channel to spring the Southern Miss transfer from Gulfport in the ninth minute.

Ava Green (Fr., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) got the helper on the second goal. The third goal came in on a set piece off a corner that was put into the playbook Thursday.

"The good thing about Laylah is she can play out wide, she can play as a fullback, she can hop into center back," Joiner said. "She's versatile, and she's very dangerous when she wants to get forward. We need to keep building her confidence and making sure she knows she can be the best player on the field any time."

Green's second assist came when her looping pass landed right on the head of Bri Gasaway (Fr., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs), who outjumped taller opponents for a 3-0 lead.

The final goal came seven minutes into the second half. Isabella Reynolds (So., Pascagoula/Pascagoula), last year's leading assister, spring Kyla Smith (So., Hurley/East Central), last year's leading goal scorer, for the final margin.

"We gave our player of the game to Josey Smith," Joiner said. "She stepped in with Neave (Ross) being out and Dana (Brooks) on limited minutes. Josey's been a real bright spot for us in the preseason giving us everything. She has such a high IQ for the game."

Gulf Coast will play its first home game Wednesday when East Central visits for a non-conference match. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets, and the game will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch.

"I think this is probably one of the most athletic teams Gulf Coast has ever seen. Every girl on the field has the ability to outrun you and the ability to both tackle you and have possession of the ball. It was nice to see that from everybody. It was nice to see 24 players in the game, which is unheard of for most teams."

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