The seventh annual Mississippi Coast High School Soccer All-Star games brought together the area’s top talent for a friendly East vs. West competition on Feb. 19.
Hosted this year at St. Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, the games aim to produce high-level entertainment as well as provide college coaches a one-stop shop to evaluate some of South Mississippi’s best players.
In the girls game, the East team, coached by Natalie Colle of the Gulf Coast United Futbol Club, walked away with a 3-1 win over the West.
With goals from Ocean Springs’ Parker St. Amant and George County’s Yazmin Humphrey in the first hour of the game, the East was cruising to victory. But the West, coached by Darby Pitman of the Mississippi Reign Futbol Club, made sure it didn’t go down without a battle.
Midway through the second half, Poplarville’s Addie Grace Alexander scored on a penalty kick to shrink the East’s lead to 2-1, causing the energy of the game to grow as the ending drew closer.
But the East didn’t hold back, and before the final whistle, Ocean Springs’ Jaylen Bodry scored to extend the East’s lead and secure the victory.
The East improved its record against the West to 4-2-1.
Forrest County’s Claire Garcia received the Goalkeeper of the Game award and Brianna Gasway of Ocean Springs was named the Defensive Player of the Game for the second consecutive season, making her the first Coast All-Star to be a repeat award winner.
Greene County’s Bailey Csaszar took home the Offensive Player of the Game award.
The boys match was fast-paced and full of scoring opportunities as the West, coached by Nick Middleton of the South Mississippi Soccer Club, came out on top 2-1.
The East, coached by Patrick Hayes of the Gulf Coast United Futbol Club, took the lead 1-0 when a deflected shot by Ocean Springs’ Drew Rumery found the back of the net.
The lead didn’t last long as the West tied the game 1-1 only minutes later with a rebound shot scored by St. Stanislaus’ Richard Niolet.
Late in the game, both teams were searching for a win after a few close calls and goalkeeper saves on both ends.
The game-winner came in dramatic fashion as St. Stanislaus’ Ethan Cuevas fed the ball to Bay’s Aiden Boudro, who scored from a tight angle with a creative chip shot from 10 yards away.
Time soon ran out as the West won for the fourth consecutive year and brought its overall record against the East to 4-2-1.
Jack Mann of West Harrison received the Goalkeeper of the Game award, Ocean Springs’ Will Berglind won the Defensive Player of the Game award and Boudro took home the Offensive Player of the Game award for his late game-winning effort on goal.
