By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
June 17, 2002
The Meridian Ice had a pretty easy time of things considering it was the final of the State Games of Mississippi's 12-and-under boys soccer championships.
The Ice of coach Kenny Watts romped past Clinton 4-0 on Sunday afternoon for the gold medal here at the Jaycee Fields.
The gold medal caps a great spring of soccer for the Ice who won the Mississippi Youth Soccer Challenge Division in May. They are now 16-1 as a tournament-level team.
In fact, four different players scored goals for Meridian in the contest. The Ice set themselves apart from the field by playing a more advanced style of soccer.
Meridian grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first period when Kyle Dew hit a 20-year cross kick that found the upper right portion of the goal. The assist came from Dusty McWilliams.
Tucker swatted away a couple of Clinton chances in the second period. Meridian had three shots at goal in the second stanza. One ball hit the post, one was blocked by the keeper and a second went over the bar. The half ended with the Ice up 1-0.
The third quarter saw the Ice establish its dominance. The second goal came unexpectedly when Andrew Watkins popped up a 35-yard shot that the Clinton keeper miss-read. The shot went over his head and in for a 2-0 lead.
Taylor Allen then added a third off an assist from Watkins on a 15-yard breakaway in the center. The shot made it 3-0.
Meridian's fourth goal came off a header by Neal Dean from a solid cross by Logan Rush. That made it 4-0.
In the other gold medal games, Biloxi beat Ocean Springs 3-1 to win the 10-and-under boys tournament. South Rankin won the bronze.
Greenville won the bronze in the 8-and-under winning, 3-2 . The Biloxi Rockets downed the Arsenal to claim the 12-and-under boys bronze medal.