MCC splits pair with Jones

From staff reports
The Meridian Star
Rocky Higginbotham

Meridian Community College split a pair of South Division soccer matches with Jones County Junior College Tuesday.

The Meridian men won a 3-0 decision, while the women fell 3-1.In the men’s contest, Alex George’s Eagles came up with a big effort in a must-win situation — getting a pair of goals from Terry Silva to improve to 8-3 overall and 6-2 in division play.

Jason Miller scored the Eagles’ other goal.

In the women’s game, Terra Moore got the only goal for Meridian on a penalty kick as the Lady Eagles fell to 6-5 and 4-4.

Both teams will see action again Friday and Saturday in the Rush Invitational Showcase at MCC.

MCC Golf Captures Rush Fall Invitational; Ivy Earns First Individual Crown

MCC Sports Information
09/26/2006

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Meridian Community College’s golf team entered Tuesday’s final round of the MCC/Rush Fall Invitational with a comfortable twelve shot lead over rival Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

In round two the Eagles distanced themselves even further from the competition by scorching Briarwood Country Club with a 4-under-par team score of 284.

The MCC “Green” team won the event by thirty-one strokes. MCC finished the event at 583 (299-284), breaking 300 each day, while MS Gulf Coast claimed runner-up with a team total of 614 (311-303).

“After round one, I knew that we had to improve to ensure a victory,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich. “But we really played well today. The guys showed just how much potential they have.”

Freshman Joshua Ivy earned his first tournament win as an Eagle with a 4-under-par round on day two. The 68 for Ivy, a Quitman, Miss. Native, was good enough to give him a 2-under-par 36 hole total, 142.

Ivy bested his teammate, NJCAA All-American, sophomore Justin Eaves, by three strokes. Eaves fired a three-under-par 69 in the final round to finish with a two day total of one-over-par, 145.

MCC freshman Curt Sparks fired a one-under-par 71 to help the MCC “Green” team. Sparks finished the event with a two day total of 154.

Eagle sophomore Dustin Petit finished with a two day total of 150 (74-76).

First round individual medalist leader, Bryant Self, a member of MCC’s “White” team, shot 77 on day two to finish with a 149 two day total.

All in all, three MCC linksters fired under par round’s on the final day. Freshman Ivy (68) and Sparks (71) and sophomore Eaves (69).

The tournament total score of 583 is the best 36-hole performance by MCC since the 2006 MACJC/Region XXIII championship.

MCC will take a week off from competitive action before traveling to Georgia for the Andrew College Invitational on Oct. 8-9.

MCC/Rush Fall Invitational
Team Results (par 576 (288, 288))
1. MCC “Green” = 583 (299,284)
2. MS Gulf Coast = 614 (311,303)
3. MCC “White” = 636 (322,314)
4. East Central = 642 (323,319)
5. Pearl River = 648 (325,323)

MCC “Green” Scores
Joshua Ivy- 142 (74,68) Individual Medalist
Justin Eaves- 145 (76,69) All Tournament Team
Dustin Petit- 150 (74,76) All Tournament Team
Jarrod Lemaster- 153 (75,78) All Tournament Team
Curt Sparks- 154 (83,71)

MCC “White” Scores
Bryant Self – 149 (72,77) All Tournament Team
Zach Rushing- 161 (81,80)
Reid Kennedy- 165 (82,83)
Cole Clopton- 167 (90, 77)
Michael Burton- 167 (87,80)

MCC Individual
Ryan Hill- 156 (77,79)

Eagle Golf Leads Tournament, Fresh. Self Leads Individual Race

MCC Sports Info
09/25/2006

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Meridian Community College’s golf team posted a 299 team score on day one of the MCC/Rush Fall Invitational at Briarwood Country Club and is in first place on the clubhouse leader-board heading into Tuesday’s final round.

The Eagles were the lone team out of five teams to conclude 18 holes at a team score of 300 or better.

Mississippi Gulf Coast CC holds on to second place with a 311 team score over East Central CC who shot a 319 team score. MCC’s “White” team is in fourth, they fired a 322 and hold a one shot advantage over Pearl River CC which finished the day with a 323 and stands alone in fifth.

MCC freshman Bryant Self leads all competitors at even par, 72. The Belden, Miss. native is competing on MCC’s “White” team; this is his second start of the 2006-07 season.

“Bryant played extremely well today,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich. “I proud of him, he has bounced back well after an off week during qualifying.”

Two other Eagles are in the top-five following round one. Sophomore Dustin Petit and freshman Joshua Ivy turned in a 2-over-par 74 to pace the MCC “Green” team’s first-round score. Petit and Ivy are tied for second with East Central CC golfer, Paul McMillin who also fired a 74.

MCC Freshman Jarrod Lemaster is tied for fifth with a 3-over-par 75. Sophomore Justin Eaves finished his opening round with a 76. Freshman Curt Sparks shot an 83 to close out the MCC “Green” team scorecard.

“I’m proud of the team,” added Covich. “We didn’t play great, but we played well, I like our chances tomorrow if we improve on today’s round.”

Self leads the MCC “White” team at even-par, 72. Sophomores Zach Rushing and Reid Kennedy added 81 and 82 respectively to the “White” team total. Freshman Michael Burton shot an 87, while sophomore Cole Clopton shot a 90 to close out the MCC “White” team scores.

Freshman Ryan Hill fired a five-over par 77 and is alone in ninth place overall. Hill is competing for the Eagles as an individual.

The final round will get underway at 8:00 a.m. CST.

MCC/Rush Fall Invitational
Team Results After 18 Holes (par 288)
1. MCC “Green” = 299
2. MS Gulf Coast = 311
3. East Central = 319
4. MCC “White” = 322
5. Pearl River = 323

MCC “Green” Scores
T2nd- Dustin Petit = 74 (+2)
T2nd- Joshua Ivy = 74 (+2)
T5th- Jarrod Lemaster = 75 (+3)
T7th- Justin Eaves = 76 (+4)
20th- Curt Sparks = 83 (+11)

MCC “White” Scores
1st- Bryant Self = 72 (E)
14th- Zach Rushing = 81 (+9)
T18th- Reid Kennedy = 82 (+10)
26th- Michael Burton = 87 (+15)
27th- Cole Clopton = 90 (+18)

MCC Individual
9th- Ryan Hill = 77 (+5)

Former MCC Golf Coach, Lou Hart, Captures State Senior Am

Marty Stamper
staff writer
The Meridian Star

Just counting her nine Mississippi Women’s Golf Association state amateur championships, Lou Hart would have quite an impressive golf resume.

But the Meridian golfer is still adding chapters to her success story. She won the MWGA State Senior Amateur last week at Columbus Country Club. She previously won the senior state am in 2002.On top of that, Hart has also qualified for the USGA Women’s Senior Amateur to be held at Sea Island, Ga., in October.

“The big guy upstairs has blessed me lately for which I am very grateful,” Hart said. “I am headed to Sea Island the first of October. I qualified at Ridglea Golf Course in Fort Worth, Texas. There were 35 players and seven spots (for the USGA senior am) and I finished second low qualifier with a 78.”

The low round was a 77.

“That was a lot of fun,” Hart said. “I drove out there by myself thinking ‘what am I doing?’ My hope when I got out there was that the course would be pretty firm and it was, which is what I needed. It just set up really well for me. It was really tight which helps me.”

Hart previously played in the USGA Women’s Senior Amateur when it was held at Austin, Texas, making it to the round of 32.

“I won my first match and got beat on 18 in the second match,” she said.

“When we go to Sea Island, there will be a two-day qualifier with the low 64 scores going into match play.

“The big enchilada is still to be played. My husband (Alan) is going to go, so it will be like a mini-vacation as well as a big golf tournament.”

In winning the state senior am last week at Columbus, Hart shot even-par on the front nine holes, then birdied the first four holes on the back side en route to a 3-under par 69. She defeated Shelia Haynes by three strokes.

This year’s tournament was cut from 36 holes to 18 due to rain on the opening day.

“The first day got rained out and I had double-bogeyed the first hole, so the rainout didn’t hurt me,” Hart said. “The second day, I teed it up on the front side and had one bogey and one birdie. Then I birdied 10, 11, 12 and 13 starting out on the back. I kinda caught fire.

“I had one bogey coming in. I hit the ball as good as I’ve hit it in a long time. I made a few putts. I was fortunate to play well at the right time.”

Hart usually plays well at the Columbus course. She was the runner-up to Cissye Gallagher in the MWGA state am in 1987.

“It’s short and whenever a course is short and tight, that’s when I blossom because I don’t hit it very far, but I hit it pretty straight,” Hart said.

“I didn’t hit a lot of irons or woods into the greens. I hit a few. When you’re hitting pitching wedges and 9-irons into the greens a lot of times you’re able to score.”

MCC Golfers Prep For Fall Invitational

MCC Sports Info

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Meridian Community College Eagle golf team returns to competition on Monday, Sept. 25 in the MCC/Rush Fall Invitational. The 36-hole event being hosted by MCC will continue thru Tuesday at Briarwood Country Club.

The Eagles are coming off a record setting year, which included a third place finish in the 2006 NJCAA Div. II men’s golf national championship. MCC recently finished seventh in the Central Alabama Fall Invitational earlier this month, and was second among NJCAA Div. II golf teams- defeating rival Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

“Playing in Central Alabama’s event gave us an opportunity to play with some of the nations best programs on one of the south’s best golf courses (FarmLinks Golf Club- 7,444 yard par-72),” said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

“Our guys are excited about playing on one of our home courses, Briarwood is a special place for me and we look forward to the challenge of defending our home turf.”

East Central Community College, Pearl River Community College and arch-rival Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will join MCC in the field this week at Briarwood.

This week’s tournament will be MCC’s only home event in the fall. The Green and White will participate in six fall events, including two in Alabama and one in Georgia.

The format for the event will be five players competing and counting the lowest four scores turned in after each round. MCC head coach Sean Covich will start sophomores Justin Eaves and Dustin Petit along with freshmen Joshua Ivy, Jarrod Lemaster and Curt Sparks on MCC’s “Green” team.

Freshmen Bryant Self and Michael Burton join Eagle sophomores, Cole Clopton, Reid Kennedy and Zach Rushing to make up the MCC “White” team.

Eagle freshman Ryan Hill will compete for MCC as an individual.

Tee times begin both days at 8:00 AM. Nearly 30 junior college golfers will compete in the event. First place and second place teams will be awarded along with individual medalist honors and five all tournament team awards.


PLAYER QUOTES:

Justin Eaves (Louisville, MS)
Sophomore
2006 NJCAA All-American

On playing MCC’s home course…
“We’re pretty confident playing Briarwood; we’ve been practicing there so we know where to hit it and which spots to avoid.”

On playing arch-rival MS Gulf Coast…
“They are our main rival, so we’re defiantly looking forward to hosting them at our place.”


Joshua Ivy (Quitman, MS)
Freshman
Currently Ranked 28th in NJCAA Div. II men’s golf

On being a local player and starting for MCC as a freshman…
“It is an honor to play for MCC, I want to make the school and my family proud by representing the college well.”

On Briarwood CC…
“I’m excited about playing Briarwood, it presents a great challenge, it’s long and you have to keep it in play- especially on the back nine.”

MCC v. ECCC Soccer Set For Saturday

MCC Sports Info
Fri, Sept 22

(MERIDIAN)- After two tough home losses, the Meridian Community College soccer teams travel to nearby Decatur on Saturday to play conference foe, East Central Community College. Both the Eagles and Lady Eagles are 4-2 in conference play with overall records of 5-3 on the season.

Before hosting Mississippi Gulf Coast CC and Pearl River CC, the Eagles had outscored their opponents 21-4, while the Lady Eagles had been just as impressive outscoring opponents 20-4.

Lady Eagles take on the Lady Warriors at 11:00 AM. The Eagles play the Warriors at 1:00 PM.

The ECCC match will be the first of two road conference games for MCC head coach Alex George’s Eagles. Following the match vs. the Warriors, MCC will travel to Jones County JC on Tuesday. MCC defeated the Bobcats earlier in the season, with the men winning 5-1 and the women winning 4-0.

MCC Drops Pair

The Meridian Star
Rocky Higginbotham

Meridian Community College’s soccer teams dropped a pair of matches to visiting Pearl River Community College Wednesday night.

The MCC men fell 5-2 to Pearl River, while the women dropped a 3-1 decision.

It’s the second straight South Division loss for both squads, which have identical records of 5-3 overall and 4-2 in division play.

In the men’s contest, Kevin McKissack and Terry Silva both scored for Meridian, while Pearl River got goals from five different players to improve to 4-2-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the division.

In the women’s match, Pearl River’s Nikki Shows had one goal and one assist to help the Lady Wildcats improve to 6-2-1 overall and 6-0 in league play.

MCC’s next action is Saturday at East Central.

Eagles vs. Pearl River – Soccer

(MERIDIAN)- The Meridian Community College soccer teams look to get back on track tonight when they host Pearl River CC. This will mark MCC’s third straight home soccer match.

MCC men and women soccer team’s lost a pair of games to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College last Saturday. It was the first conference loss for both eagle squads.

Both the Eagles and Lady Eagles are 5-2 on the season and 4-1 in conference play.

The Eagles look to return to their winning ways tonight when they host the Bobcats from Pearl River. Lady Eagles begin play at 5:00 PM with the Eagles playing at 7:15 PM.

MCC will host the annual Rush Invitational Showcase next weekend, September 29-30.

Eagles, Lady Eagles fall at home to Gulf Coast

September 17
By Steve Swogetinsky
staff writer
The Meridian Star

Gulf Coast Community College swept a pair of matches from Meridian Community College Saturday in junior college soccer action.

The MCC women dropped a 3-1 decision to Gulf Coast, while the Bulldogs defeated the MCC men 2-1. It was the first loss in the South Division for the Eagles as both teams fell to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the division.

“In every game, you have to come with all of your battle gear on, and we didn’t have all of ours on today,” MCC coach Alex George said. “This won’t hurt us in the points, but it should show us that we have to play at our best in every game. We are looking forward to our next game.”

Both MCC teams had defeated Gulf Coast at Perkinston earlier in the season.

Matthew Logue scored MCC’s only goal in the men’s game. Terra Moore was the lone scorer in the Lady Eagles’ game.

MCC will be back in action at home Wednesday when they take on Pearl River. The women’s game starts at 5 p.m. The Eagles will travel to ECCC for a pair of matches on Saturday.

Soccer Showdown Set For Saturday

MCC Sports Info
Sept 15


(MERIDIAN)-

The Meridian Community College soccer teams are off to a fast start. Both the Eagles and Lady Eagles are undefeated in conference play (4-0) and are 5-1 on the season.

Since beginning conference play, the Eagles have outscored their opponents 21-4. The Lady Eagles have been just as impressive outscoring opponents 20-4.

Both MCC squads have one shutout on the season.

The closest contest for both teams came against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on September 6 at Perkinston, MS.

After trailing in the first half of the game vs. MS Gulf Coast, the Lady Eagles made a comeback to win 3-2.

The men’s team defeated MS Gulf Coast 2-0, which remains their closest margin of victory in conference play.

MCC’s toughest opponent to date will travel to campus and face off against the conference leading Eagles Saturday, September 16.

Lady Eagles begin play at 2:00 PM with the Eagles playing at 4:00 PM.

Eagles, Lady Eagles rip through Southwest

By Rocky Higginbotham
sports editor
The Meridian Star
Sept 12

These days, Alex George doesn’t want to place too much emphasis on any single match.

But the truth is, both of George’s Meridian Community College soccer teams were mighty impressive Tuesday night.

MCC swept a pair of matches from visiting Southwest Mississippi Tuesday, winning 11-1 in the women’s contest and 8-1 in the men’s nightcap.

“It’s a good win for us,” George said. “The men and women played well.

“We’re just trying to get focused and stay focused right now,” George said.

“This is a long conference stretch right here and we’re just trying to take them one at a time and not get ahead of ourselves.”

Meridian is in the middle of a stretch of eight consecutive MACJC South Division matches. Both squads are now 6-1 overall and 4-0 in division action — with important rematches against visiting Gulf Coast set for Saturday in Meridian.

“We beat them down there, but they’re strong. It could go either way,” George said. “We’ve just got to bounce back and get ready for Gulf Coast Saturday. It’ll be a battle.”

Meridian won 3-2 in the women’s match and 2-0 in the men’s game at Gulf Coast earlier this month.

Saturday’s doubleheader begins at 2 p.m. with the women, followed by the men at 4 p.m.

Afterward, MCC has division matchups with Pearl River, East Central and Jones before hosting the Rush Invitational Sept. 29-30.

Tuesday night, a short-handed bunch of Lady Eagles rolled behind a big effort from McKenzie Butler.

Playing without forward Terra Moore, MCC got six goals from Butler, a freshman from Pontotoc. Lindsey Graham scored a pair of goals, while Leci Smith, Jasmine Caldiero and Brittany Britain all had one goal apiece.

In the men’s game, MCC grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first half and coasted to an easy win.Dusty Oubre and Jason Miller both scored a pair of goals to lead MCC, while Kyle Hutchinson, Ryan Zelenka, Colby Watson and Matthew Thomas all scored one goal apiece.

MCC Golf (B-Team) Finishes Fourth At Mississippi College Invitational

MCC Sports Information
09/12/2006

BRANDON, Miss. – The Meridian Community College B-Team golfers competed in the Mississippi College Fall Invitational on Tuesday at the 6,900 yard par-72 Patrick Farms Golf Club. MCC was the lone two-year college in the five team field which played 18 holes. The Eagles competed against four-year schools, Belhaven College (NAIA), Millsaps College (NCAA Div III) and Mississippi College (NCAA Div III) A & B Team.

Freshman Curt Sparks lead the Eagles with a 6-over par 78. Sparks finished 13th out of nearly 30 college golfers. Sophomore Cole Clopton posted a 79, sophomore Reid Kennedy fired an 80, freshman Michael Burton shot an 85, while freshman Ryan Hill closed out MCC’s scoring with a 91.

Belhaven College won the tournament title with a team score of 298. Mississippi College (Blue) finished second with a team score of 300, Millsaps claimed third with a team score of 305, MCC’s B-Team finished fourth with a team score of 322 and Mississippi College (B Team) finished fifth with a team score of 329.

Millsaps sophomore, Michael Ameen, fired a 2-under par 70 to claim top medalist honors.

The Eagles return to action on Monday, September 25 at the MCC/Rush Fall Invitational at Briarwood Country Club in Meridian.

MCC Individuals
Curt Sparks (Belmont, MS) 78
Cole Clopton (Meridian, MS) 79
Reid Kennedy (Meridian, MS) 80
Michael Burton (Collinsville, MS) 85
Ryan Hill (Meridian, MS) 91

TEAM RESULTS
1 [NAIA] Belhaven College 298
2 [NCAA Div. III] Mississippi College (A Team) 300
3 [NCAA Div. III] Millsaps College 305
4 [NJCAA Div. II] Meridian Community College (B-Team) 322
5 [NCAA Div. III] Mississippi College (B Team) 329

MCC Golf Finishes Seventh at Central Alabama Invitational

MCC Sports Information
09/11/2006

SYLAGAUGA, Ala. – Meridian Community College closed out the Central Alabama Fall Invitational on Monday with a final round 309 to finish seventh in the team standings at the 7,444 yard par-72 FarmLinks Golf Club. This was MCC’s first official event of the season. The Eagles shot 912 in the three round event, shooting 304-299-309 each round.

Freshmen Joshua Ivy and Jarrod Lemaster lead the Eagles on the final day with final-rounds of 4-over par 76. Ivy finished the 54-hole event with the Eagles lowest individual score of 226 (74-76-76). Lemaster posted a 229 (77-76-76). MCC sophomore Justin Eaves fired a 229 (77-72-80) to tie Lemaster. Sophomore Dustin Petit shot 230 (78-75-77) while freshman Bryant Self closed out MCC’s scoring with a 233 (76-77-80).

Sophomore Zach Rushing competed as an individual and fired a 249 (83-85-81).

Brevard (FL) Community College maintained the top spot in the team standings to claim the tournament title. Brevard is a seven time NJCAA Division I national champion. Runner up honors went to host school, Central Alabama, a five time NJCAA Division I national champion and Darton (GA) College, back-to-back NJCAA Div II national champions.

MCC finished 2nd among NJCAA Div. II programs. The Eagles finished ahead of MACJC rival, Mississippi Gulf Coast (926) and four year college, Birmingham Southern (920).

The Eagles return to action on Tuesday, September 12 at the Mississippi College Invitational in Brandon, MS. The tournament will be held at Patrick Farms Golf Club.

MCC Individuals
Joshua Ivy 74-76-76= 226
Justin Eaves 77-72-80= 229
Jarrod Lemaster 77-76-76= 229
Dustin Petit 78-75-77 =230
Bryant Self 76-77-80= 233

Competing as an individual
Zach Rushing 83-85-81= 249

TEAM RESULTS
1 [NJCAA Div. I] Brevard (FL) Community College 866
t2 [NJCAA Div II] Darton (GA) College 878
t2 [NJCAA Div. I] Central AL Community College (Gold) 878
4 [NJCAA Div. I] NW (AL) Shoals Community College 902
5 [NJCAA Div. I] Wallace State (AL) Community College 906
6 [NJCAA Div. I] Faulkner State (AL) Community College 911
7 [NJCAA Div. II] Meridian (MS) Community College 912
8 [NCAA Div I-AA] Birmingham Southern College 920
9 [NJCAA Div. II] Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College 926
10 [NJCAA Div. I] Central AL Community College (Blue) 930

MCC sweeps pair from Co-Lin

Staff reports
Steve Swogetinsky

WESSON - Meridian Community College’s soccer teams swept a pair of games from Co-Lin here Saturday.

The Lady Eagles won 2-1 while the MCC men claimed a 6-2 win. Both MCC teams stand at 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the South Division.

McKenzie Butler scored two goals to lead the MCC women to victory.

Alaghie Ceesay scored three goals to lead the Eagles. Jason Miller added two goals while Ryan Zeleaka added one goal.

MCC will host Southwest on Tuesday. The women’s game start at 5 p.m., followed by the men’s game.

MERIDIAN C.C. GOLF BEGINS 2006-07 SEASON

MCC Athletics
Sports Information


(MERIDIAN)-­ The Meridian Community College golf team will begin play in the 2006-07 season at the Central Alabama Community College Fall Invitational Sunday at the Farm Links Golf Club in Sylacauga, AL.

This trip will mark the second straight time that Eagles have appeared in this prestigious event.

Last year the Eagles finished 5th among the top NJCAA teams at the CACC Fall Invitational.

"This is a great event with a lot of great programs represented," said MCC head coach Sean Covich. "We will use this event to see how we stand with the top programs from around the nation."

The Eagles will join nearly 20 other teams in the tournament including MACJC rival, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The field includes other top teams from around the country: five time NJCAA Div. I national champions, Central Alabama and back-to-back NJCAA Div. II national champions, Darton (GA) College.

“This will be a great opportunity, especially for our freshmen to gain experience against the nation’s best,” said Covich. “It’s a big challenge, but I think that we’re up for it.”

2006 NJCAA All-American, Justin Eaves and 2006 MACJC/Region XXIII medalist, Dustin Petit will lead the Eagles at the CACC Fall Invitational. Freshmen Joshua Ivy (Quitman), Jarrod Lemaster (Scottsboro, AL) and Bryant Self (Tupelo) will join the returning sophomores to make up the starting five that will compete for MCC. Sophomore Zach Rushing (Forest) will compete for the Eagles as an individual.

MCC will tee off at 9:00 a.m. CT Sunday at the 7,444-yard, par-72 Farm Links Golf Course. The 54-hole event will be in the shotgun start format, with the teams playing 36 holes on day one and 18 holes on day two.

MCC Sweeps Gulf Coast

By Sean Covich
MCC Sports Info

Meridian Community College swept a pair of South Division junior college soccer victories over Mississippi Gulf Coast CC Wednesday on the road.

The MCC women’s team took a 3-2 victory while the men shut-out the Bulldogs 2-0.

Both Meridian teams are undefeated in division play (2-0).

McKenzie Butler scored two goals to lead the Lady Eagles to victory. Tarra Moore scored Meridian’s other goal.

For the men, the Eagles needed just two goals, one from Terry Silva and the other from Dusty Oubre, to shut-out the Bulldogs.

“This was two great wins for us, we're excited” MCC coach Alex George said. “Gulf Coast is always one of the top teams in the division.

“We are very happy to be 2-0 in the division.”

Meridian will be on the road Saturday as the Eagles travel to play Copiah-Lincoln CC.

MCC Freshmen Soccer Players Lead NJCAA

Sean Covich
MCC Sports Information
Sept 6


Four Meridian Community College freshmen soccer players are among the nation’s elite.

Lady Eagles McKenzie Butler and Terra Moore are ranked #2 and #3 in NJCAA Division I women’s soccer in goals scored according the official NJCAA website (www.njcaa.org).

Butler, a forward from Pontotoc, is 2nd in the nation with 11 goals.

Moore, a forward from British Columbia, Canada, is 3rd in the nation with 10 goals.

Both Butler and Moore are also ranked in the NJCAA’s top three in points, a combination of assist and goals.

For the men’s team, Terry Silva and Alaghie Ceesay are both ranked high in NJCAA Divison I men’s soccer.

Silva, a forward from Starkville, is tied with two other players for the nations leading scorer with 9 goals on the season.

Ceesay, a forward from Africa, is tied for 2nd in assist.

Both Silva and Cessay are ranked in the nation’s top twelve for points.

The Eagles (3-1) and Lady Eagles (3-1) will be in action Wednesday, September 06, when they travel to play Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

MCC has two away matches (at Gulf Coast, at Co-Lin CC) before returning home to face Southwest MS CC on Tuesday, September 12.

MCC Men, Women Take Wins

By Steve Swogetinsky
Staff Writer
The Meridian Star
Sept 3



Meridian Community College swept a pair of South Division junior college soccer victories over Jones Junior College Saturday at the Eagles’ field.

The MCC women’s team took a 4-0 victory while the men defeated the Bobcats 5-1.

Both Meridian teams now stand at 4-1.

McKenzie Butler scored three goals to lead the Lady Eagles to victory.

“I was just in the right place at the right time, and all were off of good passes,” Butler said. “It’s good to get our first division win, and if we can stay healthy, I’m looking for good things.”

Morgan Gullette scored Meridian’s other goal.

The Eagles led 2-0 at the half off of goals by Terry Silva and Jason Miller.

Lamar School graduate Brandon Bennett put Jones on the scoreboard in the second half to make it 2-1. But then Dusty Oubre, Alaghee Ceesay and Kyle Hutchinson all scored to keep the Eagles in front.

Meridian will be on the road Wednesday as the Eagles travel to play Gulf Coast.

“That will be a big game for us,” MCC coach Alex George said. “Gulf Coast is always one of the top team in the division.

“I thought we played well against Jones. We were a little tight in the first half but made some adjustments at the half.”