Women’s Soccer starts Friday

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast has won 19 women's soccer games the past two years, the most in consecutive seasons in 13 years.

Coach Ryan Joiner's third group of Bulldogs hopes to extend their streak of trips to the postseason. Gulf Coast was knocked out in the district quarterfinals the last two years.

"The goal is a championship, but we have to make sure we host a playoff game this year," he said. "I think that's very important for the direction of the program. I think we're disappointed we weren't nationally ranked in the preseason, but it gave us a little bit to look forward to. We play nine ranked teams out of 20 games. We want to host a playoff game, get ourselves in the top ten and see what happens when it comes tournament time. We're due a playoff win."

Gulf Coast hasn't won a playoff games since 2020, and the Bulldogs start their quest Friday with a trip to Livingston, Ala., to play Southern Union. Their first home match is Aug. 26 when Pensacola State visits Bary Thrash Field. Season passes and single-game tickets are on sale at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets. Home games will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch.

The Bulldogs bring back three All-MACCC performers from last year, including keeper Laurel Conley (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs). She finished with a 1.20 goals-against average after playing every minute of the season. Conley had six shutouts, including five straight to start the season.

"I expect her to be a big part of what we do this year," Joiner said. "Returning goalkeepers are rare in the league these days." 

Three of the four defenders are back, including Bri Gasaway (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs), another All-MACCC returnee. Ava Green (So., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs),joins Gasaway as a team captain, and Millie Jebb-Geer (So., Dronfield, England/Dronfield Henry Fanshawe) are also back, and they'll be joined by Chloe Brock (Fr., Gulfport/Gulfport). Jaeda Goar (Fr., Sumrall/Sumrall) got a late start in soccer, but she's made huge strides. Joiner said he expects her to keep progressing quickly on the college scene, providing another cog in a speedy group with size, physicality and power.

The midfield features a talented group of newcomers. Vanessa Radojevic (Fr., Sciez, France/Lycee De La Versoie), Libby Fraser (So., Cambridge, England/Hills Road College), Reagan Chancelor (Fr., Hattiesburg/Oak Grove) and Anna Vincent (Fr., Meridian/West Lauderdale). Hailey Moore (So., Biloxi/Biloxi), who scored four goals last year, and Amelia Kidd (So., Bay St. Louis/Bayou Academy), a pit bull in the middle of the pitch, are also back. Fraser is a transfer from NAIA LSU Shreveport, and Joiner calls midfield his deepest position.

The final All-MACCC returner is up top, with Laylah Johnson (So., Gulfport/Gulfport) back from injury. She earned honors despite missing the final five games of the year, scoring 12 goals with four assists. Jennifer Lopez (So., Gautier/Gautier) netted nine games and is back, along with five-goal-scorer Linda Mustered.

Anna Katherine Thriffiley (Fr., Biloxi/St. Patrick) scored 37 goals last year as a senior, adding even more punch, along with Mia Robins (Fr., Brentwood, England/Shenfield). International Caroline Joergensen (Fr., Soenderborg, Denmark/Det Blaa Gymnaisum Soenderborg) will see time up front, and perhaps at outside back. Kayleigh Crosslin (Fr., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) has been a workhorse in the preseason.

"We've got two different 11s and we can sub some girls," Joiner said. "The depth is there. They offer different things, but a lot of those girls are still learning what college soccer's about, and that's what preseason's for. We're very athletic and probably a bit taller than we've been in the past. The team has a good culture, girls who are really bought into what we're doing."

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.