Laurel Lightning strikes soccer gold

By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
June 23, 2003
The Laurel Lightning scored two goals and played good defense to take the gold medal in the U10 girls' soccer competition in the State Games at the Jaycee Soccer Complex.
Hattiesburg took bronze in the event with a 1-0 win over Brandon.
Laurel beat the Madison Strikers 2-0 in the championship. The win avenged an early loss to the Strikers.
Laurel jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a goal in the second. Allison Cegielski centered the ball to Sara Coleman, who put the ball away into the right side of the goal.
Off the kickoff, Madison moved the ball down the field and was fouled inside the box to set up a penalty kick. The shot sailed high and the score remained 1-0 until the third quarter.
With just seconds remaining in the third, Brooke Blackledge settled a loose ball and sent a long shot over the keeper to give Laurel a 2-0 lead.
The Lightning continued to pressure the Strikers and Madison was unable to get the ball out of its defensive end of the field for most of the final half.
Laurel was unable to put another goal away, but held on for the 2-0 win to take the gold.
NW Rankin boys 3
Pearl Big Dogs 2
Northwest Rankin held on for a 3-2 victory over the Pearl Big Dogs to take a 3-2 win in the gold medal game of the boys' U10 competition.
Pearl put the pressure on Northwest Rankin, but could not get the game-tying goal and had to settle for the silver medal.
It was the ninth meeting between the two squads. Before the game, the two teams were tied with four wins each in the series.
Madison took the bronze medal in the event after beating Greenwood 1-0 in the bronze medal game.