By By Thomas Burton / special to The Star
Nov. 1, 2002
The Meridian Community College Men's soccer team, who survived a scare earlier this week, is now in a position to defend its Region 23 championship.
The Eagles, with an overall record of 8-6-1 and a MACJC South Division mark of 5-3-1, take on Hinds at noon in the semifinals of the MACJC/Region 23 Tournament at Mississippi Gulf Coast on Saturday.
The winner advances to Sunday's 2 p.m. finals against the winner of Saturday's other semifinal matchup between Northwest Mississippi and host Gulf Coast.
There were many questions facing the MCC team when the week began. MCC's future hinged on the outcome of last Tuesday's Gulf Coast-East Central Community College match. A win by ECCC but the Warriors into the tournament, but a tie or loss, meant the Eagles had a date for the weekend.
The game ended in a 1-1 tie, giving first-year MCC head coach a spot in the playoffs.
With the tie Meridian earned the second spot in the south division of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC). MCC gets the chance to play for the Region 23 championship.
The Region 23 Champion will move on to compete in the Southwest District playoffs, which includes teams from Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama.
Hinds, which has not lost to a Region 23 foe, beat Meridian 5-3 earlier in the year. MCC tied against Northwest, and lost to Gulf Coast in Perkinston, but won in Meridian.
George described Hinds as a strong defensive team. "They're a good team, they're solid from the field to the bench.
The Eagles feature 18 freshmen and one returning sophomore. This is a new year under the MACJC.
MCC gets it's chance to show that they belong in the playoffs. The Eagles showed spirit against a tough Pearl River team two weeks ago with a magnificent come-from-behind double-overtime victory. Basically for the Eagles its now or never against Hinds on Saturday.