MGCCC soccer takes Region 23 Crown

The 2009 Region 23 Champions.

Angel Plascencia (5) leads the Bulldog offensive attack into the NJCAA South District Tournament Nov. 6-7.

Bulldogs heading to NJCAA District Playoffs

For the second time in the short but storied history of the program, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College men’s soccer team has claimed both the MACJC and Region 23 titles.

On Oct. 31 against Meridian in the Region 23 title game, a second half goal by Taylor Thrash helped the Bulldogs claim a 1-0 win over Meridian 1-0.

“Our defenders really played well against Meridian,” said Gulf Coast soccer coach Bary Thrash. “We capitalized on their mistake and that was the difference in the game.”

Last week the Bulldogs (17-0-2) claimed the MACJC State Championship with a 3-2 double overtime win against Hinds. It’s the first time since 2002 that Gulf Coast has won both the State and Regional Championships.

“This is a special group of players,” Thrash added. “They are incredibly supportive of each other.”

Dustin Hamilton (3) works against a Meridian defender Oct. 31.

Gulf Coast now heads to the NJCAA South District Tournament Nov. 6-7 at Tyler, TX. On Friday the Bulldogs will face Tyler Junior College (16-0), the No. 1 ranked team in the NJCAA. The winner of that game takes on the winner between Northern Oklahoma College - Tonkawa and Western Texas College for the District title Nov. 7.

Gulf Coast is led on offense by Angel Plascencia, who’s No. 11 in the NJCAA in goals scored with 18. In the net, keeper Gordon Waters is No. 7 in the NJCAA in goalkeeping with only 11 goals allowed in 2009.