MGCCC soccer teams among the state’s best again in 2009

Playing for MACJC state championships is the norm for both the men’s and women’s soccer teams at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and the 2008 season was no different.

The Lady Bulldogs (14-2-1 in 2008), who as a team was named the NJCAA fall Academic Team of the Year, also won its first ever state title. The men (13-3) also played in the MACJC state title game but dropped a 3-1 decision to Hinds and finished second. Soccer head coach Barry Thrash and assistant coach Travis Dickey are hoping for more big accomplishments in 2009.

Men

Although Thrash is losing two of his top scorers from 2008 (Laide Yusef and Miles Pennington), he has 13 returning sophomores and 12 incoming freshmen.

“I think the returning players from last year now realize what it takes to win a state title,” Thrash said. Among his returning sophomores are Chris Nettles (9 goals in 2008), Dustin Hamilton (4 goals in 2008), and Patrick Harrison (4 goals in 2008).

Women

Twelve players from the 2008 MACJC State Championship squad are returning this season, including Kelli Ranson (27 goals in 2008), Katy Buchanan (6 goals in 2008), and Hannah Hess (5 goals in 2008).

“We’re going to train even harder this season,” Thrash said. “We know what it takes to get to a high level, now we want to maintain that standard of excellence.”

Helping that cause are 12 incoming freshmen, including Polish twin sisters Edyta and Ewa Harasimczuk.

“All of our freshmen are good players,” Thrash added. “We will have a good amount of depth this season.”