MCC Soccer Prepares For Conference Play

Sean Covich
MCC Sports Information
Aug 30



(MERIDIAN)- Following a solid start to the 2006 season, the MCC Eagles and Lady Eagles soccer teams look to carry some momentum into their conference opener against Jones County Junior College.

The Eagles & Lady Eagles will host the JCJC Bobcats on the campus of MCC Saturday afternoon, with the women’s game slated to start at 2:00 PM and then the men’s game at 4:00 PM.

The Eagles started off the season in dominant fashion at East Mississippi Community College with a 9-1 victory overt the Lions.

The Eagles then split a pair of games versus some of the regions best competition in the Shelton State Invitational Tournament in Tuscaloosa, AL.

MCC’s Tuesday night match versus Northwest MS Community College in Senatobia was cancelled due to severe weather.

The Eagles (2-1) will start their conference opener playing with confidence.

“I feel good about the way that we are playing right now,” said MCC head soccer coach, Alex George, “But the real season starts with conference play, this is where we’ll see how good we are.”

The Lady Eagles are off to a solid 2-1 start as well.
After completely dominating EMCC 13-1 in the season opener, MCC faced some stiff completion in the Shelton State Invitational Tournament over in Tuscaloosa, AL. The Lady Eagles split two games in Tuscaloosa, losing to Shelton State then defeating Hiawassee.

“The ladies are playing well,” said Coach George as his Lady eagles prepare for conference play. “It was a good physical test for us playing over at Shelton State; we learned a lot from that experience.”

In the next month, MCC will play four conference opponents on-campus before hosting the annual Rush Invitational Showcase September 29-30.

Along with MCC, Bossier Parrish (LA) Community College, Gordon (GA) College, Hinds Community College, Mississippi Delta Community College, and Shelton State (AL) Community College will participate in the Rush Invitational Showcase.

MCC Eagles Take Two From Hiwassee College

Rocky Higginbotham
Meridian Star
Aug 29

Meridian Community College’s soccer teams swept a pair of matches Saturday from Hiwassee (Tenn.) College in junior-college action in Tuscaloosa, Al.

MCC’s teams, which both dropped matches on Friday, now have identical records of 2-1 on the young season. The eagles and Lady eagles will go to Northwest Mississippi today for their next action.

The Lady eagles won Saturday’s women’s match by a score of 6-0 over Hiwassee., which is located in Madisonville, Tenn.

Terra Moore had a hat trick with three goals, while Morgan Gullette scored twice and McKenzie Butler had one goal for coach Alex George.

In the men’s game, it was Terry Silva with a trio of goals to lead MCC to a 7-0 victory.

Ryan Zelenka added a pair of goals, Jason Miller scored once and Joey Robbins had a goal on penalty kick.

Wild Finish In Eagle Cup

Sean Covich
MCC Sports Information
Aug 24

(MERIDIAN)-With six points up for grabs in Thursdays single matches and with just one point separating the freshmen (3 ½ ) from the sophomores (2 ½ ) it was still anybody’s Cup to win. The final round of the inaugural Eagle Cup would be played at Briarwood Country Club under pristine conditions and with temperatures that reached the mid-90’s.

The first match of the day featured former MCC Athlete of the Year (2003) and former MCC All–American golfer, Clinton Hales, representing the sophomores vs. MJGA Cup Team member, Curt Sparks. Hales would grab a lead on the front nine and carry that advantage over to the back. Sparks fought his was back and with just one hole left, Hales had to fight off Sparks’ comeback with a clutch putt on the final hole to win 1 UP. With Hales’ victory, the sophomores evened up the points at 3 ½ a piece.

In the second match of the day, freshman team captain, Joshua Ivy faced off against returning sophomore, Cole Clopton. Ivy grabbed an early lead and held tightly to that lead all the way until the 15th hole where he ended the match by defeating Clopton 5 & 3. With Ivy’s victory, the freshmen were within 1 ½ points of winning the Eagle Cup.

Match #3 featured former West Lauderdale High School golfer, Ryan Hill and MCC sophomore, Reid Kennedy. Hill led the match virtually the entire round; up by four at one point over Kennedy, Hill let the sophomore creep back to within one midway through the back nine. But after an errant tee shot on #15, Kennedy went three down with three to play. Kennedy once against fought back winning the par 3 16th hole, but the comeback was short lived as Hill put the match away on #17, winning 2 & 1. With the win, Hill and the freshmen had 5 ½ team points- needing just 1 more point to claim the Cup.

With just three matches left on the course, the sophomores needed to win all three to have a chance at winning the Cup outright. Meanwhile, the freshmen were just ½ a point away from securing at least a playoff and just one point away from beating the sophomores.

In the fourth match of the day, former West Lauderdale High School golfer, Michael Burton squared off against MCC sophomore, Zach Rushing. Rushing, who lead most of the match played steady and won a much needed point for the sophomore team. Rushing defeated Burton 5 & 4 on #14. Rushing’s win kept hopes alive for the sophomores, who then relied solely on their final two players.

The Eagle Cup was down to the final two matches. In the next to final match, former Scottsboro (AL) High School golfer, Jarrod Lemaster faced NJCAA All-American and sophomore team captain, Justin Eaves. The match was close from hole #1 all the way until #18. After a birdie on #17, Eaves held a 1 UP advantage going into the final hole, guaranteeing the sophomores at least ½ with a draw. But a tie would also mean that the freshmen couldn’t lose the Cup- because it would give them 6 points. After a straight drive, Eaves hit his approach shot to within 10 feet and calmly drained his birdie putt to win the match 2 UP.

Then it all came down to this, the final match of the Eagle Cup. Former Tupelo High School golfer, Bryant Self vs. the 2006 MACJC/Region XXIII Player of the Year, Dustin Petit. Self and Petit were back-and-forth all day, and found themselves ALL SQUARE with just one hole to play. After two solid drives, both golfers were in the middle of the 18th fairway- with the Eagle Cup on the line. Teammates became cheerleaders and spectators on ‘The Hill’ beside #18’s green as they watched both Petit and Self miss the green with their approach shots. Self’s ball was short of the green on the fringe, while Petit was pin-high but had found an awful lie in the thick rough. Petit hit first and his chip shot came up about 10 feet short of the hole, leaving Self with an opportunity to win the Cup outright for his team with a birdie. Self was aggressive with his attempt, running close by the hole and about 2 ½ feet passed it. With Self virtually securing a par for the freshmen team, Petit had to make his lengthy left-to-right par putt. With the entire MCC golf team looking on, Petit calmly drained his putt to force a playoff for the Cup.

Both captains would represent their teams in a sudden death playoff beginning on Briarwood’s par 4, 1st hole. Still riding high after his birdie-birdie finish, Justin Eaves birdied the playoff hole to win the Eagle Cup for the sophomore team.

A physically and emotionally drained Eaves would accept the Eagle Cup on behalf of his teammates from MCC head golf coach, Sean Covich. Eaves thanked his teammates and congratulated the freshmen for their outstanding play.

The MCC golf team begins qualifying for their first official event Monday. The Eagles travel to five time NJCAA national champion, Central Alabama on September 10-11.

Freshmen Make Comeback On Day Two

Sean Covich
Sports Information
Aug 23

Day Two of the Eagle Cup was played Wednesday afternoon under sunny skies and featured humid weather. The sophomores were looking to build on their 2 ½ to ½ lead, meanwhile the freshmen were looking to mount a comeback.

Five sophomores (plus the MCC head golf coach) faced off against six freshmen Wednesday at Northwood Country Club, with each match being played for one point. A total of three points were up for grabs on Day Two. Wednesday’s format was true alternate shot match play.

Match #1 featured Curt Sparks and Ryan Hill, representing the freshman, against Cole Clopton and Sean Covich representing the sophomores. Hill/Sparks would grab an early lead on the front nine, making the turn at 2 UP. Then after picking up two more holes, Hill/Sparks led 4 UP with just 6 holes to play. Clopton/Covich would then win four straight holes to even up the match with just two holes to play. After both teams pared #17, Hill/Sparks drained a clutch 15 foot putt to win the match 1 UP.

Match #2 saw Justin Eaves and Reid Kennedy square off against freshmen, Michael Burton and Jarrod Lemaster. This match was back-and-forth all day until late, when the freshman team of Burton/Lemaster put away the match on #15 and won 3&4.

Dustin Petit and Zach Rushing would represent the sophomores in the final match of the day, they faced freshmen, Joshua Ivy and Bryant Self. The entire Eagle Cup has been characterized by close matches- and this one was no exception. The match was back-forth most of the day- but down the stretch of the back side Ivy/Self reeled off four straight wins on #13 thru #16 to comeback and win the final match of the day 3&2.

With the freshmen sweep of the sophomores, the young Eagles lead the veterans 3 ½ to 2 ½. The final day of the three day Eagle Cup concludes Thursday afternoon at Briarwood Country Club. The final day will feature six different singles matches with a total of six points up for grabs- with just one point separating the teams- it’s still anybody’s game.


Individual Eagle Cup Match Play Records:

Sophomores- (W-L-T)
Cole Clopton (1-1-0)
Justin Eaves (0-1-1)
Reid Kennedy (1-1-0)
Dusitn Petit (1-1-0)
Zach Rusing (0-1-1)

Freshmen- (W-L-T)
Michael Burton (1-1-0)
Ryan Hill (1-1-0)
Jarrod Lemaster (1-0-1)
Joshua Ivy (1-0-1)
Bryant Self (1-1-0)
Curt Sparks (1-1-0)

Sophomores Take Early Lead in “Eagle Cup”

Sean Covich
MCC Sports Information
Aug 22

The threat of bad weather delayed the start of the inaugural “Eagle Cup” (a Ryder Cup format battle between the sophomores and freshman of the MCC golf team). Play was scheduled to begin at Briarwood Country Club at 1:30 PM but due to the weather, play didn’t start until 2:30 PM, exactly one hour late.

Five sophomores (plus one former MCC golfer) faced off against six freshmen Tuesday afternoon, with each match being played for one point. A total of three points were up for grabs on Day One. Tuesday’s format was four-ball match play.

The first match of the day featured former West Lauderdale High School teammates, Michael Burton and Ryan Hill vs. returning sophomore, Cole Clopton, and former MCC golfer, Clinton Hales.

Burton/Hill jumped out early, grabbing a 2 UP lead after just the first two holes. Clopton/Hales would battle back to make the match ALL SQUARE by the 7th hole. Clopton/Hales used some steady play on the back side to win the match 3 & 2, earning the sophomore team the first point of the Eagle Cup.

Match #2 featured highly acclaimed newcomers, Joshua Ivy and Jarrod Lemaster vs. NJCAA All-American, Justin Eaves, and returning sophomore, Zach Rushing.

After going back and forth on the front nine, this match remained ALL SQUARE heading to the back side. Thanks to a few birdies, Ivy/Lemaster had a 1 UP lead with just three holes to play. Sophomore Zach Rushing, hit his approach shot to within a few feet on #17 to help make birdie and even up the match heading into the final hole. Both teams made par on #18 to half the match with ½ point each.

In the final match of the day, retuning sophomore, Reid Kennedy teamed up with returning MACJC Player of the Year, Dustin Petit. Kennedy/Petit would face freshmen, Bryant Self and Curt Sparks.

After nine holes, Kennedy/Petit led the match 1 UP. Kennedy/Petit never relinquished their lead on the back nine and used all 18 holes to defeat the freshman 1 UP.

Day Two of the three day event continues tomorrow with alternate shot match play being held at Northwood CC. Play beings at 1:30 PM with the sophomores leading the freshman 2 ½ - ½ .

Eagle Day (Soccer) Pictures

2006 Lady Eagle Soccer Team


2006 Eagle Soccer Team

Eagles Look To Get Into Playoffs

By Steve Swogetinsky
staff writerThe Meridian Star
Aug. 20

Last year, both Meridian Community College soccer teams came close to making the state playoffs.

As the 2006 season nears, MCC coach Alex George says this could be the year both teams make it over the top.

“Both the men’s and women’s teams have a lot of speed and a lot of ball skills,” George said. “If we can stay injury free, we should do well. That is what plagued us last year. We got down to the final stretch and had several people hurt.”

Meridian Community College hosted a “Meet the Eagles” day Saturday. Team members along with their parents and friends were treated to lunch. And there was an intrasquad scrimmage afterwards.

Both teams open the season at East Mississippi Community College on Tuesday.

“The last two weeks have been hard,” MCC’s Terra Moore said. “We have been going through three-a-days, and we are in good shape. We are looking forward to the season and I think we are going to be ready.”

George noted that both teams have six starters back from last year. George said the Eagles finished the 2005 season with a 14-4 record while the Lady Eagles posted a 13-5 mark. There are 21 players on the men’s team and 18 on the women’s team.

Meridian Community College competes in the South Division against Jones, Gulf Coast, Pearl River, Southwest, Co-Lin and Hinds.

Along with their regular season schedule, MCC will play in the Shelton State tournament in Tuscaloosa on Aug. 25 and 26; and hosts the Rush Invitational Showcase on Sept. 29-30. Teams expected to play in the Rush Showcase are Shelton State, Mississippi Delta, Hinds, Bossier Parish and Gordon College.

2006 MCC Soccer Schedule

2006 MCC Soccer
Men’s & Women’s Fall Schedule
Date______Opponent_______Women__Men
22-Aug____at EastMS CC_____2:00_____4:00
Shelton State Invitational Tournament- Tuscaloosa, AL
25-Aug____Shelton St/Wallace_10:00___12:00
26-Aug____Hiwassee________10:00___12:00
29-Aug___ @Northwest MS CC_2:00____4:00
2-Sep_____Jones JC*________2:00____4:00
6-Sep___at MS Gulf Coast CC*_2:00____4:00
9-Sep___at Co-Lin CC*______12:00____2:00
12-Sep___Southwest MS CC*___5:00____7:15
16-Sep___MS Gulf Coast CC*___2:00____4:00
20-Sep___Pearl River CC*_____5:00____7:15
23-Sep___at ECCC*_________11:00___1:00
26-Sep___at JCJC*__________2:00____4:00
RUSH Invitational Showcase- Meridian, MS
29-Sep__MCC v. Shelton St_______11:00 (W)
______ _MS Delta v. Bossier Parish_1:00 (W)
______ _MS Delta v. Gordon______3:00 (M)
______ _Hinds v. Gordon________5:00 (W)
______ _MCC v. Hinds__________7:00 (M)
30-Sep__MCC v. MS Delta________9:00 (W)
______ Gordon v. Bossier Parish___11:00 (W)
______ MCC v. MS Delta________1:000 (M)
_______Gordon v. Hinds_________3:00 (M)
_______Shelton St v. Hinds_______5:00 (M)
4-Oct___Co-Lin CC*_________5:00__7:15
7-Oct ___at SW MS CC*________1:00__3:00
14-Oct___atPearl RiverCC*____12:00__2:00
18-Oct___East Central MS CC*___5:00__7:15

*Conference Game

MCC Cheer

Meridian Community College
Sean Covich
Sports Information Director


(MERIDIAN)- The Meridian Community College Eagle cheerleading squad participated in the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) college camp at Vanderbilt University this past weekend.

During the two day camp in Nashville, Meridian Community College earned a NCA Spirit Stick, a Superior Ranking for the Game Day evaluation and a Superior Ranking for the Fight Song evaluation. In addition to these accomplishments, the MCC cheerleaders received a bid to compete in the 2007 NCA national competition in Daytona, FL.

MCC faced completion from other squads which included four year universities; Purdue, Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State, East Tennessee State, Samford, and others.

The MCC cheerleaders are coached by Danielle Rigdon, who is entering into her second year as cheerleading coach.

“Our cheerleaders shined at camp. They really bonded and pulled together when things got tough,” Rigdon said, following her squad’s outstanding performance at the NCA camp.

“I could not be more proud of a cheerleading squad! Expect to see great things from this squad.”
MCC is still recruiting cheerleaders for the upcoming season. Anyone interested should contact Danielle Rigdon at 601.481.1340.

MCC Soccer Preview

Sean Covich
Sports Information Director
August 3

Men’s team:

The MCC men’s soccer team will be led by a strong nucleus of returning players. Sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Joiner, a former standout at Ocean Springs High School, accumulated 41 saves on goal during the 2005 campaign.

Also leading the sophomore class is Jason Miller of George County High School. Jason led the team in scoring in 2005 with 21 goals and is back for more in 2006.

“I just want to do all I can to help this Eagles’ team be as successful as possible in 2006. A championship would be nice, but, as Coach George has taught us, take it one play at a time,” Miller said.

Defensively, the Eagles will be led by sophomore Tyler Johnson of Pascagoula High School and sophomore Zack Chisolm of West Lauderdale. Offensive opponents will likely face a bigger and faster defensive back-four this upcoming season.

Look for big things out of the Eagle’s offense as they stack together what may be one of the most explosive offense arsenals. Leading that group will be freshmen Alaghie Ceesay of Africa.

“It is fun to watch a kid this good,” George said. “What he can do with a ball is truly fascinating and worth coming to see.”

Supporting Ceesay will be Starkville Academy standout Terry Silva.

“I can’t wait for the opportunity to play at Meridian,” Silva said. “After visiting the campus and gaining insight into the program, I knew this was where I wanted to continue my career.”


Women’s team:

Coach Alex Gorge described this year’s women’s team as the most talented squad he’s had at MCC.

Defensively, the Eagles will have a fast and aggressive back-four. Returning to anchor the lady Eagles defense is sophomore Jenna Lepard of Pontotoc. Lepard will likely be one of the central defenders but will also be involved in the attack as well.

Supporting the defense is returning sophomores Alyse Hobgood of Northeast Lauderdale High School, Jasmine Caldiero of Columbus High School and George County standout Sadie Fryfogle, who will be the returning goal keeper for the Lady Eagles.

Leading the offensive attack will be sophomore center midfielder Ivy Rawson.

“As far as freshmen, this is without a doubt the best recruiting class in school history. Athleticism, skill, and speed are all correct descriptions of this 2006 freshmen class. It will be exciting to see it all come together,” George said.


Meet The Eagles Day Scheduled:

The Meridian community and MCC Eagle fans will have an opportunity to meet the 2006 MCC men’s and women’s soccer teams Saturday, August 19th at the MCC soccer field.

Lunch will be severed at the field starting at 11:00 a.m. with the Eagles being introduced at 11:30 a.m.

For a ticket of just $40, Eagle fans will get an assortment of MCC gear; including a cap, visor, t-shirt, pocket schedules, poster schedules, and a free pass to home soccer games.

Purchasing your ticket will also give you a chance to win prizes from Judge Little Sporting Goods, Wal-Mart, MCC Bookstore, and the grad prize drawing for $1,000.

The festivities will conclude with an inter-squad match, women play at 12:30 pm and the men play at 1:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact soccer coach, Alex George (601) 484-8697.