By Staff
TAKE AIM n Meridian's Michael Crow, right, gets a good foot in attempted shot against Northwest Rankin's Zack Bond in the 10-and-under bronze medal game. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
June 18, 2001
The Meridian Bulls pulled out a 1-0 squaker over the Wolves from Madison in the bronze medal game on Sunday at the Jaycee Soccer Complex. The Bulls claimed the under-8 boys division State Games' bronze thanks to a 4th period goal by Jordan Martin.
Martin knocked in the goal after Daniel Sollie raced down the open field and loured the goalie out by taking a shot of his own.
Meridian held on for the win, sustaining several late scoring opportunities by Madison. "They had a huge surge there late in the game," Nosco said. "Our kids just did a great job of holding on for the victory."
The Bulls, just like the rest of the under-8 teams, had to put in extra practice time prior to this year's competition due to the rules change.
The Jaycee complex was once again packed to the gills, this time playing host to the under-12, under-10, and under-8 boys and girls State Games medal contest.
Under-10 boys
NWRAA-Tisdale 2, Meridian Thunder 1: The Meridian Thunder, playing a field over from the Bulls, suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of a Northwest Rankin squad who got a clutch game in goal from Meridian native, Joseph Ratliff. Ratliff held Meridian scoreless in the second half with several big saves.
Meridian, trailing 1-0, got a penalty kick goal off the foot of Dallas Hannah with 1:45 left in the half to tie the contest at 1-1. Hannah attempted another penalty kick seconds later, but his second attempt sailed wide left.
NWR got the go-ahead goal on a lofting shot by Gentry Smith from mid-field. Smith took the shot one step over the mid-field stripe, after Meridian tried to clear it. The ball sailed over every defender and fell in just over the out-stretched hands of the Thunder goalie.
Boys results: The SMCSO Chargers of Madison won the gold medal game in the boys under-8 division, posting a 4-1 victory over the NWRAA Titans from Jackson. The Bulls from Meridian won bronze with its 1-0 shutout of the Wolves.
In the under-10 division the Greyhounds from Ocean Springs walked away with gold by defeating the Green Titans from Greenville, 2-1. The NWRAA Tisdale won bronze by virtue of their 2-1 victory over the Meridian Thunder.
The under-12 division saw the Greenville Stars take gold with a 2-1 win over The Fire from Hattiesburg. The Titans from Greenwood took home the bronze by shutting out the VSO All-Stars, 6-0.
Girls results:
The Lazers from Hattiesburg took home the gold in the under-8 division by defeating the Hurricanes from Laurel, 1-0. The You-go-girls from Gautier were 2-0 victors over the Lightening for the bronze.
In the under-10 division, the Clinton Razzle Dazzle claimed gold with a 1-0 shutout of the Madison Magic. Greenville's Fire Crackers won the bronze medal game over the Revelers, 5-0.
The Greenville Charge went undefeated in the tournament and acquired gold by blanking Clinton, 2-0. Greenwood's Lazers blasted Northeast Jones, 5-0, for the bronze.
Northeast Park results: The under-14 and under-16 boys and girls division competed in their respective medal games at the Northeast Park Softball Complex.
Boys under-14: MYSO Owen claimed a 1-0 victory over the NWRAA Fusion to claim the Gold Medal in the Boys under-14 division. The Fusion received silver medals.
Meanwhile, HYSA The White took the bronze medals with a 1-0 win over the Jack-o-lopes.
Girls under-14: The SRSC defeated the Bays 2-1 to claim the gold medal in the Girls under-14 division. The Bays received silver medals. The Blue Rage beat the Starkville Strikers 2-0 to claim the bronze medal.
Boys under-16: The MYSO Hyme won the gold medal in this division. The Silver Medal went to GYSA Merrill, while SRSC Rush received the bronze medal. Scores from the medal games were unavailable.
Girls under-16: Allgood was the gold medal winner in the girls under-16. The silver medal went to Hatten while the bronze medal went to the Blue Dogs.