Bulldogs blank another foe to open MACCC play

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast started the MACCC women’s soccer schedule in an authoritative fashion Tuesday night, dominating East Central 5-0 at Bary Thrash Field.

The Bulldogs (4-0) were menacing all night, peppering the Warriors keeper for 90 minutes.

“It was a pretty complete performance,” Gulf Coast coach Ryan Joiner said. “It’s another shutout and lots of shots on goal. We asked for 30-plus shots on goal, and we had a lot. I think everybody played tonight who was healthy. It’s always nice to start 1-0 in conference.”

Laylah Johnson (Fr., Gulfport/Gulfport) had a goal and two assists to power the attack.

She saved a cross from going over the end line at the back post, volleying it into the six-yard box. Linda Mustered (Fr., Biloxi/St. Patrick) was there to bang it over the line in the 10^th minute.

Hailey Moore (Fr., Biloxi/Biloxi) was the beneficiary of the second assist, scoring while camped out front in the 41^st minute. Johnson set up her own goal with a lightning counterattack, getting tripped in the box for a penalty. She converted in the 59^th minute for a 3-0 lead.

“She’s different level for us right now,” Joiner said. “She’s still learning how we need to play in this league, but she’s so dangerous in 1v1 situations. She’s going to keep scoring goals.”

Raven Pernell (Fr., Kosciusko/Kosciusko) delivered a beautiful cross from the right win in the 72^nd minute which found Isabella Reynolds (So., Pascagoula/Pascagoula) for a crisp header.

Mustered set up Jennifer Lopez (Fr., Gautier/Gautier) for the final goal with seven minutes left.

Laurel Conley (Fr., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs) had to stop just one shot late to register her fourth straight shutout to start the season.

Gulf Coast entertains Southwest Mississippi on Friday at Perk. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. Buy your tickets ahead of time to save money. It costs $7 for adults or $5 for youth online, or $10 and $7 at the gate. Tickets are available at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets, and the game will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch.

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