Mississippi Gulf Coast’s run through nationally-ranked opponents continued Wednesday, with the No. 6 Bulldogs knocking off No. 19 Mineral Area 2-1 in Ellisville.
The Bulldogs are 4-0-1, including games against four teams ranked in the NJCAA top 20.
“The goal was to show we belonged in the conversation with the top teams in the country,” Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy said. “We feel like we did that. That’s big. Now, we have another challenge, to get through the conference schedule. Everybody is familiar with us, so that makes the games tough. But we can really focus and get some rest the next couple of weeks to get ready for conference play.”
Neko Worthy (Fr., St. Martin/St. Martin) set up the first goal, getting down the sideline and whipping in a cross that Victor Moerck (So., Vaerlose, Denmark/Lyngby Handelsgymnasium) headed home in the 15th minute. He’s now scored in consecutive games.
Moerck tackled the ball away to create a counterattack in the 40th minute. Jasintho Wielders (Fr., Krimpen aan den Ijssel, Netherlands/Zadkine College) played a through ball to Kade Smith (So., London, England/Whitmore), and Smith hit Mills Sheridan (So., Flowood/Northwest Rankin) on the back post for his first goal of the season.
Mineral Area (5-2) scored in the 55th minute after a short corner.
“We played really well in the first half,” Handy said. “We controlled the game. The second half, after they scored, they picked up their play and we got a little bit shaky. But overall, the boys played well.”
David Ruiz Ospina (So., Manizales, Colombia/Gimnasio del Pacifico), who was named NJCAA Keeper of the Week earlier in the day, made two saves and was an important part of the Bulldogs’ efforts to build out of the back.
Gulf Coast will get to catch its breath after four rugged games or scrimmages in eight days. The Bulldogs beat then-No. 9 Heartland last Wednesday, East Central on Monday and No. 19 Mineral Area on Wednesday, with a scrimmage against the University of West Alabama on Friday for good measure.
“We’ve had a lot of games in a few days, a lot of tough opponents,” Handy said. “Credit to them for getting through this. Now we get to rest.”
The Bulldogs play Hinds in a non-conference game in Raymond on Tuesday. The Eagles are among those receiving votes in the national poll.
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