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.