By Staff
SLIPPING PAST MHS' Jay Barry, left, battles for possession against Brandon's Corey Funk. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
Jamie Sullivan/staff writer
Jan. 22, 2002
The Meridian High School boys soccer team fell to 5-12, on the season Monday night, as they were defeated 3-0 by visiting Brandon High School, the No. 2 ranked team in the state.
In girls' action, the Lady Bulldogs took a 4-1 decision over the Lady Wildcats.
Wildcat goalkeeper Chris Kitchens pitched a shut-out in the first half of play for the MHS boys, however the Bulldogs turned up their offense a notch in the second half.
Meridian head coach Mike Sullivan said he changed his strategy for Monday night's contest, hoping to take the Bulldogs out of their offense.
The Bulldogs (19-1) got their first goal of the night, when Ben Dufour dribbled down to the six-yard line, and pulled the trigger to take an early 1-0 lead in the second half.
Cory Funk of Brandon put the Bulldogs up 2-0, when he booted a 30 -yard shot to the net for another Bulldog goal.
The final goal of the night came when Josh Oller assisted Joel Waldrop for the third goal of the night.
The Wildcats and the Bulldogs met up earlier in the year, with Brandon coming out on top 9-0.
Sullivan felt his team improved since the last meeting.
The Wildcats will travel to Madison Central for a non-division game tonight .
Brandon girls 4
Meridian 1
The Brandon Lady Bulldogs used three early goals to knock off Meridian Monday night at Ray Stadium.
The Lady Wildcats are still playing without starting goal keeper Sara Denham, but Meridian head coach Pat Ross says Tiffany Hickmon has stepped in and handled the duties well.
Kathryn White of Brandon scored the first two goals of the night for the Lady Bulldogs, as they took a quick 2-0 lead.
The Bulldogs got their second goal of the night, when Robin Emfinger found the back on the net to lift the Lady Bulldogs to a 3-0 lead.
White scored one more time in the first half, to push Brandon to a 4-0 halftime lead.
Meridian got its lone goal from Sara Hammes, when she took a pass from Kelly Brown at the 13-minute mark in the second half.
The Lady Wildcat defense stiffen in the second half, as newcomer Hickmon pitched a shut-out in the goal.
The Lady Wildcats fell to 11-6, while the visiting Lady Bulldogs advanced to 17-1.
Both teams will be in action tonight, as Meridian will travel to Madison Central and Brandon will host Vicksburg.