Gulf Coast blanks ICC to open season

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast intends to send wave after wave against opponents in a high-pressure attack against opponents this year.

The Bulldogs showed sparks Friday in a 2-0 win over Itawamba in their first game at the new MGCCC Soccer Complex, but they all thought plenty was left on the table.

"We looked like we hadn't played before," coach Chris Handy said. "There was a lot of rust there, but I think we'll come along. One of our goals was to make sure we had a shutout; we did that. We'd have liked to have more success on the offensive end, but I think that will come."

Jordan Hall (5-9, 163, Fr., Royton and Crompton/Manchester, England) had a goal and assist for Gulf Coast. He scored 15 minutes in off a corner kick off an alert play by Tylor Davis (6-0, 164, Fr., West Harrison/Gulfport).

"I was running up to take the corner, but Tylor was already there," Hall said. "He just laid it back to me and I turned and hit it. I didn't really expect (the pass) at all."

The Bulldogs immediately subbed eight players into the game, a pattern that repeated roughly every 15 minutes.

"That's going to be us all year," Handy said. "We have plenty of depth and guys who can play. We just have to see who can play together. I think as the year goes on, both teams will get better. The lineup will change here and there, and we'll have a better flow."

Hall helped close out the scoring with 11 minutes left. He was put through down the left side, but said he felt cramping starting in his left.

Hall managed to pull the ball back from the end line, then found Austin Miller (5-11, 175, Fr., St. Stanislaus/Bay St. Louis) inside the six-yard box. Miller beat the keeper for the insurance goal.

"There's definitely more there for us," Hall said. "We got the win and we got the clean sheet, but there's definitely more to come from us."

Gulf Coast turns right back around Saturday and plays San Jacinto-South at Perkinston. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. The Bulldogs open MACJC South Division play Sept. 2 when they travel to archrival Pearl River.

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