No. 11 Mississippi Gulf Coast did more than survive the rugged gauntlet of the opening three games of the men’s soccer season. The Bulldogs polished off a top-10 opponent Wednesday to finish the stretch unbeaten.
Gulf Coast beat No. 9 Heartland 2-1 on a neutral field in Senatobia, moving to 2-0-1 on the season.
“We got better as the game went on,” Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy said. “They hit us with a free kick early, and it made us fight a little bit harder. As usual, the second half, we picked it up a little bit. We started connecting a few more passes and working harder. Overall, we were a little bit more dangerous. In general, this team is showing a lot of fight and a willingness to win. They get a lot of credit for that.”
The Hawks (2-2) struck first with a free-kick goal in the eighth minute. Gulf Coast didn’t get the equalizer until nearly halftime. A steady buildup gain steam when Alexander Mink (Fr., Long Beach/Long Beach) slipped Vincenzo Jeanfreau (Fr., Saucier/Pass Christian) out wide. Jeanfreau’s shot was saved, but Jasintho Wielders (Fr., Krimpen aan den Ijssel, Netherlands/Zadkine College) was there for his second goal of the season.
Tobias Buch (Fr., Skovlunde, Denmark/Borupgaard Gymnasium) took a free kick from midfield in the 66th minute. He put it in the mixer, and Luke Hopkins (So., Clinton/Clinton) put it back across the goal. Nygel Jobe (So., Brandon/Brandon) beat the keeper to the ball to tap it home for his first goal.
The Bulldogs adjusted their setup during the game, shifting Alexander Mink (Fr., Long Beach/Long Beach) to midfield.
“He stepped into midfield and stabilized things for us,” Handy said. “The back line did well. Tobias, Dorian (Robinson), Neko (Worthy) and Connor (Goodman) were really good in the back for us and solidified the game after Mink went to midfield.”
Gulf Coast will play a scrimmage against West Alabama on Friday at Perk, with the start time moved up to 5 p.m. Their next match that counts will be a trip to Decatur to play East Central on Monday. Kickoff will be at 11 a.m.
The Bulldogs beat No. 16 Jones and tied No. 15 Pearl River last week, giving them a good-looking resume in the early season.
“It means we belong in the conversation,” Handy said. “We’re still getting better and getting sharp, but to be able to win while we’re still improving is super important. There are still big games to go in the next couple of weeks, but it’s definitely a great start for us.”
For more information on MGCCC’s 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.
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