After winning six of their last eight games and defeating the Morton Panthers 4-0 in the first round of the MHSAA Class 4A soccer playoffs on Saturday, the Pass Christian Pirates (14-7-1) lost 4-1 on Tuesday to the heavily favored Sumrall Bobcats to end their season.
The Pirates were down 2-1 at the half at Sumrall during the second round but gave up two goals in the final minutes.
“This season has had many ups and downs from injuries to (a) bad run of form in games and each time the boys answered the call and got back to work to fix it, never giving up,” said Pass Christian coach Michael Archibald. “Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way.”
Pass Christian’s lone goal came courtesy of senior Trey Roche, who finished with 30 for the year along with 70 points and 10 assists.
The Pirates were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Bobcats apparently hadn’t forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in February 2024.
During Saturday’s matchup against Morton, Roche and Gray Tusa knocked in two goals apiece with assists from Jeremy Matute and Brody Gavagine. Goalkeeper Charlie Dewitt finished with the shutout, posting eight for the season.
The Lady Pirates (11-5-1) advanced to the MHSAA 4A quarterfinals after beating Richland 1-0 at Ranger Stadium on Tuesday. Winning their fifth consecutive game, the Lady Pirates have posted three shutouts in the streak and outscored their opponents 19-4.
Pass Christian will host the Sumrall Lady Bobcats at Francis McDonald Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. in the quarterfinals and a potential berth in the South State finals.
