By Staff
EXCUSE ME – MCC's Cheri D. Wilson, center, battles for ball possession against Copiah-Lincoln on Tuesday afternoon. PHOTO BY PAULA MERRITT/THE MERIDIAN STAR
By Thomas Burton / special to the star
Oct. 16, 2002
Sloppy field conditions did not slow down the Meridian Community College soccer teams on Monday afternoon, as both the women and men prevailed over visiting Copiah-Lincoln to post important MACJC South Division victories..
Laura Johnson led the Lady Eagles with two scores and one assist to the get the win 3-0, while the men won 5-1 behind two goals each from Brian Stringer and Benton Dufour
South Division action continues on Thursday when Pearl River Community College pays a visit for a 4 p.m. women's match and a 6 p.m. men's contest.
MCC women 3
Co-Lin 0
The aggression meter was on for this matchup, but the Lady Eagles fought through all the pushing and shoving to take control of the game early. The first score came quickly off the foot of Johnson who received the pass from Cheri R. Wilson to give the Lady Eagles the lead with 29:25 left in the first period.
Co-Lin couldn't find an answer, as Wilson led another charge against the Lady Wolves as she hooked up with Johnson again, giving Meridian the 2-0 lead.
The Lady Wolves tried to make the most out of a corner kick as Stephanie Dexter almost ended the shutout. Co-Lin never got another solid chance, as MCC's defense gave Co-Lin only two chances to score in the first period.
MCC took full advantage of its opportunities With 7:24 left, Lisa Needler found an open Johnson on a corner kick, who passed to Morgan Wright for the goal and the 3-0 lead. MCC continued to play flawlessly in the second period as it held Co-Lin to just only four attempts at goal. The Lady Eagles improve their division record to 4-1, while climbing t0 6-3-2 overall.
MCC men 5
Co-Lin 1
The Eagles didn't waste any time against the Wolves.
Brian Bledsoe got things going as Benton Dufour soared past two defenders to put the Eagles up 1-0.
MCC scored four minutes later on excellent hustle by Stringer. He came out of nowhere, took a pass from Andrew Culpepper and put it in the net to put the Eagles up 2-0 with 25: 00 left in the first half.
Co-Lin never found a spark, but the Wolves received a little help from the referee. With the Eagles making a move up-field a kick was deflected off the referee. Co-Lin forward Arrmon Abedikichi took advantage of an open lane and gave Co-Lin its only score of the night. Co-Lin also received a golden opportunity to tie the game on a penalty kick, but Seth Flynn missed as the ball sailed high.
The Eagles weren't phased at all as Brandon Rodgers took a score in past two defenders that counted for a 3-1 lead. Not even a minute passed as MCC got another spectacular play from Rodgers. With six minutes left on the clock, Rodgers on a drive started by Brain Bledsoe, took the ball and passed it to Dufour, who turned around with his back to the goal as the ball slid in to give the Eagles a comfortable lead at 4-1.
MCC got its final score in the half from a sliding Rodgers, who was able to pass to Stringer to make the score 5-1.
The second period was much the same as the Eagles controlled the ball and tempo of the game. Co-Lin threatened late as Chris Hughes couldn't make do with a pass from Matt Anderson.
MCC's defense was just too tough as they allowed the Wolves only six attempts at goal.
The men improve their division record to 4-1-1 and are 6-4-1 overall.