Women’s Soccer starts on the road Friday

PERKINSTON — The Mississippi Gulf Coast women’s soccer team took a big step forward last year, reaching double-digit wins and making the postseason. Even more improvement is expected this year.

Coach Ryan Joiner loaded up with a top recruiting class for his second season in charge of the Bulldogs, who get started on the road Friday. They’ll travel to Fulton to play Pellissippi State in the regular-season opener. It’s scheduled to start at 4 p.m., with the game streamed at https://letsgoicctv.com/red/.

“We’re going to be very athletic,” Joiner said. “It’s a team that’s willing to do lots of different things and play different systems. For the first 19 days, we showed some variety, which is nice. We’re excited about the progress we’ve made, and also the future with what we can do as a team.”

Gulf Coast opens play at Bary Thrash Field on Aug. 28 when East Central visits. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. All home games will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch. Season tickets are available at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets, as are individual-game tickets. Online tickets will be cheaper this year, costing $7 for adults and $5 for youth. They will be $10 and $7 at the gate.

The Bulldogs start the season just outside the NJCAA Division II top 20 after posting the first 10-win season since 2016. Gulf Coast advanced to the Gulf South District quarterfinals in their return to the playoffs.

The MACCC is the toughest conference in the country, with returning national champion Jones. Holmes reached the final four the last two years, and Northwest Mississippi did two years ago. Pearl River returns most of the roster which ended the Bulldogs season last year.

“As a program, we want to take the step of getting into the top four, whether that’s winning the league, hosting a playoff game, or making a push for a title,” Joiner said. “Talent-wise, we’re very close. Experience is probably our biggest downfall. We’re going to keep pushing forward and making sure these girls are doing the right things. If we want to make that next step to be an elite program, we have to continue recruiting well but also make sure these players are bought in.”

While returning keeper Leah Capiola (So., Wiggins/Stone), who had a 1.28 goals-against average in 11 games last year, recovers from an early-preseason injury, the Bulldogs will rely on Laurel Conley (Fr., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs). She had 13 shutouts last year at Ocean Springs and played in the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star Game.

“I think Laurel is the most talented keeper in the league,” Joiner said. “She’s a great shot-stopper. She’s been fantastic our first three preseason games. She gives us a different dimension playing out of the back, while Leah is more accomplished in this league as a sophomore returner.”

The Bulldogs return three sophomores to anchor the back line. Dana Brooks (So., Alajuela Costa Rica/Colegio Jesus Ocaña Rojas) was one of the team’s best players last year, and she’s been healthier and stepped into a leadership role. Azlyn Dawson (So., Taylorsville/West Jones) is a tenacious defender who has gotten more technical at Perk since concentrating only on soccer.

Neave Ross (So., Whitley Bay England/Whitley Bay) returns as captain after an All-Region 23 season.

“We know what to expect out of Neave,” Joiner said. “She’s all-in all the time. She’s a very good defender. I think her best is in front of her.”

Freshmen Ava Green (Fr., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs), Josey Smith (Fr., Bay St. Louis/Hancock), Bri Gasaway (Fr., Ocean Springs/Ocean Springs), Alyssa Nixon (Fr., Hattiesburg/Oak Grove) and Gracee Michini (Fr., Lucedale/George County) have been impressive as backs and wingers.

Gulf Coast’s leading scorer is back in midfielder Kyla Smith (So., Hurley/East Central). She had 13 goals and three assists as a freshman. She may be more of a playmaker this year with an improved front line, but her production is being counted on. Isabella Reynolds (So., Pascagoula/Pascagoula) led the team in assists (7) and banged in six of her own. She’s a couple months ahead of schedule returning from a knee injury and has seen significant action in the preseason.

Elissa Viquez (So., St. Rose La./Destrehan) is speedy and can play on either wing, and she had six assists as a freshman. She’s one of three out-of-staters in the midfield mix. Millie Jebb-Geer (Fr., Dronfield England/Dronfield Henry Fanshawe) is a converted center back whose height will cause problems in the box, and Joiner thinks she can be one of the best players in the league. Zipporah Oswald (Fr., Fort Walton Beach Fla./Choctawhatchee) is the daughter of a coach with two brothers who play at universities, so she understands the game well.

Amelia Kidd (Fr., Cleveland/Bayou Academy), Mia Luciano (Fr., Cleveland/Cleveland Central) and Hailey Moore (Fr., Biloxi/Biloxi) are also showing signs of being contributors.

Kadie Craft (So., Picayune/Picayune) is the sole returning forward, and her relentlessness on the wings leads to productiveness. She can also play anywhere but center back. The incoming freshmen are an impressive group.

Jennifer Lopez (Fr., Gautier/Gautier) scored 32 goals last year for Gautier and has been causing problems for opponents coming off the bench with speed and athleticism. Charlotte Gatehouse (Fr., Southampton England/Oasis Academy) is a poacher in the 18-yard box who could score 10 goals just by being in the right places. She’ll see time in midfield, too, showcasing her creativity. Raven Pernell (Fr., Kosciusko/Kosciusko) is focusing on soccer full-time now, and Joiner said she could be the most electric player in the league with her speed.

Laylah Johnson (Fr., Gulfport/Gulfport) transferred from Southern Miss, and she’s bringing a Division I work ethic to the squad. Linda Mustered (Fr., Biloxi/St. Patrick) is another goal scorer added to the mix. She had 21 goals and 15 assists while leading the Irish to a second straight title.

“She’s one of the best strikers in the state,” Joiner said. “She won state championships in high school and at the club level. She’s a goal server and can serve the ball in. She’ll be a dangerous threat in this league, and she’ll do damage as a freshman just with her ability to put the ball in the back of the net.”

For more information on MGCCC’s 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.