By By Jeff Byrd/The Meridian Star
Sept. 12, 2001
Top-ranked Meridian Community College booted their soccer record to 6-0 following a 4-0 rout of Gulf Coast here Tuesday night at the MCC Soccer Field.
Next up for the Eagles will be the Rush Memorial Invitational Tournament on Friday. MCC Head Coach Steve Clements said Tuesday's romp was a good way to get everyone on the team a chance at valuable playing time.
"This was a good night for us. We got to play everyone and that should help us for our next two games. We feel like we've got some outstanding soccer coming to town this weekend with the Rush Invitational," Clements said.
Meridian took control of the game early by attacking the Gulf Coast defensive zone. Three shots at goal came up empty, but with 18:20 left in the first half, a major foul was called on the Bulldogs.
Garthfield Whyte scored the game's first goal on a penalty kick from the center.
Two-and-a-half minutes later, MCC struck again, this time on a goal from the field when Mahlon Sullivan drilled a shot from 40-yards out with 15:43 left in the half.
The Eagles then went up 3-0 with 6:42 left in the half when Kevin King scored right near the goal following an assist by Shaun Van Heerden.
Just 10 minutes into the second half, MCC took a 4-0 lead when Derron Cornwall scored on a cutter near the goal.
Gulf Coast had just three shots on goal. One came in the first half and was blocked. Their best chance came with about eight minutes to go but was caught by goal-keeper Byron Bent.
"Gulf Coast went right into a defensive posture at mid-field and that kept things pretty tight for us," Clements said.
Whyte, however, said the Eagles must play better.
"I think we underestimated Gulf Coast. We tried some stuff but it didn't work. We need to come back and get ready for some teams that will give us a really tough match-up," Whyte said.
MCC will face Young Harris College of Ga., on Friday at 7 p.m. They will face Richland, Texas, on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Jeff Byrd is a sportswriter for the Meridian Star. He can be reached at 693-1551, ext. 3225. Or by e-mail at j.byrd@themeridianstar.com.