Bulldogs focus on MACJC semi against Southwest

PERKINSTON — There are two factors that Mississippi Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy expects will prime his Bulldogs soccer team for their MACJC semifinal match Saturday against Southwest.

"They were up a goal at half the last time we played," he said. "They're talented enough.  They've got a forward leading the country in goals (Jaime Delor) and a midfielder (Francisco Alisiardi) who is super talented as well. He gave us problems in the first half, really throughout the game.

"I don't think we'll be complacent. It's the playoffs. It's hard to show up not ready to go."

The final game of the four-match day is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. at the new MGCCC Soccer Complex. The game will be streamed at http://livestream.com/BulldogLIVE.

Gulf Coast (14-1) is riding a 13-game win streak into the playoffs, having won the South Division with a perfect 10-0 mark. Southwest (12-5, 5-5) finished third in the division, then beat East Central 5-1 in the quarterfinals.

The Bulldogs won the two matches between the teams by a combined score of 11-1.

Delor has 29 goals and seven assists this year, with Alisiardi adding five goals and 13 assists.

Windham Whatley (5-8, 158, Fr., Florence/Florence) will be a critical player for the Gulf Coast. He's the Bulldogs' captain, a rare appointment for Handy.

His role as holding midfielder means he provides far beyond the stat sheet, where he has one assist this year. Whatley provides defensive cover for the back four and a healthy helping of bark for the Bulldogs.

"He's the first captain we've had in three or four years," Handy said. "I don't pick captains, and we picked him. He's been, even as a freshman, the vocal leader of the team. He deserves a lot of credit for the attitude the team carries."

The winner of the second semifinal will play the winner of the 4 p.m. Hinds-Jones County game. Both teams that make it to the finals will earn Region 23 slots in the South District playoffs.

The winner will host the Region 14 runner-up for a berth in the national championship tournament. Another berth will be decided at the Region 14 champions' home field, where the MACJC runner-up will have to travel.

2016 MACJC Soccer Championship Central: http://www.mgcccbulldogs.com/MACJCsoccer

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