Jebb-Geer, Mustered, Lopez headed to the Next Level
PERKINSTON — Three vital players of the first Mississippi Gulf Coast women's soccer squad to win a game at the national tournament have signed to continue their collegiate careers at the Next Level.
Millie Jebb-Geer will play at NCAA Division II Delta State, with Linda Mustered headed to NAIA William Carey and Jennifer Lopez going to LSU Shreveport. The trio led the Bulldogs to a 13-4-1 record in the fall and 22 wins overall. Gulf Coast played in the women's national championship tournament for the first time in history under third-year head coach Ryan Joiner.
Jebb-Geer, a defender from Dronfield, England, anchored a stingy Gulf Coast backline. The Bulldogs allowed only 0.77 goals, and she was a dangerous offensive weapon with her powerful free kicks. Jebb-Geer picked up six assists and was named to the NJCAA All-American First Team. She was also All-NJCAA Region 23 and earned All-MACCC First Team honors.
"Ryan had good connections with people from universities, which helped me to go to the next level," Jebb-Geer said. "His coaching helped a lot with developing me as a player and helping me move forward to another college."
She was an invaluable member of Gulf Coast's central defense for two years.
"Millie had a great two years here," Joiner said. "She proved herself, especially in her sophomore year here, being an All-American. She never missed a game for injury, and always kept us in games, kept the games tight. She was a great leader for our defensive unit."
Jebb-Geer is joining a Delta State team that finished 7-6-4 last year, advancing to the Gulf South Conference tournament under second-year coach Chloe Kane.
"I really like the coach, and the girls I met seem nice," Jebb-Geer said. "I'm familiar with the area it's in. They did well last year as a team, and I think next year it's going to be just as good."
Mustered, a forward from Biloxi, tied for the team lead with seven assists while scoring nine goals, third-most on the squad. She was a danger down the right flank and earned United Soccer Coach All-American honors, as well as a spot on the All-MACCC Second Team.
"The level that we played at here really prepared me to play at the next level," she said. "The standard the coaches held us to was the main thing that really helped me."
Mustered was an important signee for Joiner two years ago. She finished with 11 goals and 12 assists over two seasons.
"Linda's probably one of the best student-athletes I've been around," Joiner said. "She's great on the field, very athletic, and added goals when we needed them, but also represented the college very well. She's been fantastic for us for two seasons and an All-American."
Mustered is headed to Hattiesburg to play for a traditional NAIA national power. The Crusaders went 20-2 last season, winning the Southern States Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles before advancing to the round of 16 at the NAIA tournament. They're coached by Danny Owens.
"When I practiced with them, I liked their style of play," Mustered said. "They are very welcoming, and I just felt like I fit in very well. When we toured the campus, I just felt drawn to it.
Lopez, a forward from Gautier, scored 12 goals in two seasons for the Bulldogs. She was a dangerous threat running at defenders with the ball.
"Playing here helped me by developing my skills," she said. "My coaches really helped me look for another school that was a great fit for me."
Lopez played in all 33 games during her Gulf Coast career.
"J-Lo's got a great opportunity to keep doing what she does best, which is run chase the game," Joiner said. "She was just such a workhorse for us and did all the little things. She's a player you may not notice if you're not watching her directly, but she affects the game when she's out there."
She's headed to play for LSU Shreveport, which is coming off back-to-back Red River Athletic Conference regular-season championships. They went 10-1 in league play and 12-7 overall, advancing to the RRAC championship match under first-year head coach Andy Kaplan.
"I chose to go there because of the offer they gave me and the environment," Lopez said. It seems like it's going to be a really great team they're developing for the next year, and I'm excited to play with them."
For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.
