Bulldogs lose 1-0 in quarterfinals

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast saw its men's soccer season come to a disappointing end Friday, but in a way that typified the Bulldogs' year.

They lost 1-0 to Itawamba in the NJCAA Gulf South District quarterfinal at Bary Thrash Field to finish the campaign 11-6-1. 

"It's important that we score early," Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy said. "I think when we missed our chances early tonight, that put a lot of pressure on the game, and it came down to set pieces, which is not something that we wanted. When you have two close teams, it's just a matter of executing, and we didn't." 

In Gulf Coast's six losses, the opponents scored first each time. The Bulldogs were more dangerous when teams had to get more aggressive, and they weren't able to make that happen in the finale.

ICC (11-3-4) scored off a corner in the 81^st minute, and the Bulldogs had a number of chances in the run of play before that to get on the scoreboard. A combination of missed opportunities and great saves foiled all their efforts.

The Bulldogs had handed Itawamba its first MACCC loss on Tuesday to earn a home playoff game, winning 2-1 on a late penalty.

Friday was a reversal of fortunes, and the Bulldogs got a bunch of spectacular saves by Omarion Brown (Fr., Linstead, Jamaica/St. Catherine) among his six stops to stay alive.

"He stepped up and got better as the season went on," Handy said. "He kept us in it and played really well the last couple of weeks. He's got a bright future ahead of him. We're excited to have him back here."

The group of sophomores who played their last games as Bulldogs helped the team reach its second NJCAA Tournament in 2024. Alexander Mink (So., Long Beach/Long Beach) played like a player worthy of a second All-American spot, and Tobias Buch (So., Skovlunde, Denmark/Borupgaard Gymnasium) showed he could be dangerous up the pitch after playing as a defender as a freshman. Neko Worthy (So., St. Martin/St. Martin) was an energizer as a left winger, and Hayden Thomas (So., Clinton/Clinton) proved his worth as a target man up top. Vincenzo Jeanfreau (So., Saucier/Pass Christian) battled through late-season injury issues to contribute in the last two games.

"You come into the year with big goals, and not everything went right for us throughout the year," Handy said. "I think this group of sophomores really, truly led us. Those guys have been the heart you sold this team, and I'm very proud of them. I know they have bright features ahead of them."

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