By By Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
Feb. 4, 2001
The defending Class 5A state champion Meridian Lady Wildcats took the first playoff step toward a repeat championship by edging the Gulfport Lady Admirals, 1-0, at Ray Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The lone score came on a corner kick by Ramey Rush in the 12th minute of the first half. The remainder of the contest consisted of tough, even play in the midfield with MHS' shots on goal just missing the mark.
Despite advancing to the next round, Lady Cats head coach Pat Ross was not pleased with his team's accuracy. The Lady Cats missed five shots during a nearly eight minute span in the second half.
The majority of the final 31/2 minutes were played on the Meridian end of the field, with the Lady Admirals (11-7-3) getting opportunities to tie the game, but ultimately being thwarted by the home team's defense.
The Lady Cats (16-3) will travel Tuesday night to Brandon for a 5:30 p.m. match. The MHS boys also travel to Brandon Tuesday for a 7 p.m. match.
Ross said Rush as well as Kelly Brown and Julie Pollman did a good job of winning 50/50 balls in the midfield. He also credited the all-around play of stopper Kirsten Gambrell and sweeper Erin Hodges.
Rush drilled what would prove to be the game winner off a what she herself deemed a corner kick with a big degree of difficulty.
Gulfport coach Chris Pryor pointed to Rush as perhaps the main thorn in his team's side on the day. It was going to be a big midfield battle I really felt because I've got two young girls in the center," he said.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.