POPLARVILLE, Miss. — A very shorthanded No. 13 Pearl River women’s soccer team dropped its season opener Tuesday night against Pensacola State as the Pirates scored a pair of second-half goals to win 2-1.
“I think the girls put a lot of effort into it tonight,” head coach Henrik Madsen said. “They worked really hard, and we created some really good chances. We just lacked sharpness in front of the goal. When we got tired there at the end, they caught us on the counter.
“We should have finished some chances that we didn’t, and they made the chances they got count. That’s the game.”
Pearl River (0-1-0 overall) nearly got off to an incredible start as right from the opening kickoff. Abby Badurak (Gulfport) broke away and dashed down the field, but the Southern Miss transfer couldn’t get enough direction on her shot attempt, sending it into the side of the net, 1-0.
PRCC developed chance after chance, but it wasn’t until the 36th minute that the Wildcats got on the board. PRCC earned a corner kick opportunity, and Frederikke Nielsen (Randers, Denmark; Randers Statsskole) went to the spot to take it. She delivered a great ball into the box that hit off a Badurak and shot to Holly Jones (Liverpool, England). The forward waited on the bounce and sent it into the back of the net on the volley, 1-0.
Pensacola State (1-1-0) equalized in the 68th minute, breaking down the Wildcat defense and putting a ball into the net at the near post, 1-1.
PSC caught Pearl River on the counterattack with five minutes left in the match, zipping a shot from outside the 18-yard box and into the back of the net 2-1.
PRCC developed a few more chances down the stretch but couldn’t find the back of the net, falling in the contest.
NEXT UP
Pearl River continues its homestand on Saturday as No. 6 Northeast (Neb.) makes the trip to Poplarville.
TICKETING
Tickets are on sale now at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. Tickets purchased in advance are $8. Tickets purchased on gameday are $10. Season passes can be purchased for $56.
TUNE IN
All Pearl River home soccer matches are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the “Pearl River CC” channel from their app stores.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).
