By By Thomas Burton / special to the star
Oct. 24, 2002
DECATUR Timing is basically everything. With a playoff spot weighing in the balance the Meridian Community College Men's soccer team couldn't seem to get in sync as they lost the season finale against East Central Community College 2-1.
The Warriors on the other hand went the distance and played timely defense against the Eagles.
ECCC was led by two goals off the foot of Seltue Karweaye. One goal came with under 10 seconds left in the first half.
From the opening kick the Eagles seemed destined to score. ECCC pressured MCC to kick wide and high of the goal.
MCC attempted six shots at goal for the first 30 minutes. ECCC managed to only attempt two.
The Eagles threatened with 21:15 as Brian Bledsoe and John Irby gained some ground. Brandon Rodgers received the pass as his kick sailed off a header by Brian Stringer, but couldn't find the goal.
ECCC got it's first threat from Chuck Holmes. He was stopped by Bledsoe as his kick was tipped by the keeper Chris Duncan.
MCC just couldn't find any rhythm and with the score 0-0, somebody had to make things happen.
Karweaye made his presence felt defensively, as he made noise with time winding down with 10 ticks left on the clock. A speedy Robbie Phillipson eluded Dylan Sims and Troy Webb to find the open Karweaye for the half time lead at 1-0.
Both teams continued to fight it out. MCC held its end of the field but could not find an open lane.
When ECCC got it's breaks they took advantage. Karweaye lead his second charge with 34:49 as he fought off Webb for the lead at 2-0.
Hope was running out for MCC , but with just 13 minutes to go Andrew Culpepper fought his way though to get a pass off to Benton Dufour. Dufour's kick cut the lead to 2-1.
As the sun set so did the chances of MCC scoring. The Warriors kept on forcing the Eagles to takes tough shots. They played flawless defense to hold on for the win 2-1.
MCC chances for the playoffs are still alive. The division record drops to 5-3-1 and to 8-6-1 overall. ECCC is still in the hunt with two games remaining. They are 4-3-1 division and 8-6-2 overall. The Warriors travel to play Copiah Lincoln on Thursday.