MCC soccer teams prepare for regional title games

(MERIDIAN) - Soccer practice at C.D. Smith Field on the campus of Meridian Community College will be a bit hectic this week for head coach Alex George.

The coach of both the men’s and women’s soccer teams for MCC is busy trying to prepare both his teams for the NJCAA Region 23 soccer championship this week.

Both the men’s and women’s championship games will be hosted by Hinds Community College in Raymond, MS.

The Lady Eagles will face MACJC State Champions, Mississippi Gulf Coast Lady Bulldogs on Friday at 6:00 PM.

The Lady Eagles are coming into Friday’s championship showdown with a 7-2-1 record.

The Eagles will face MACJC State Champions and home standing Hinds Community College at 8:00 PM Friday.

The Eagles will enter the championship game with a 5-3-2 record.

“These teams are very good and balanced. It’s going to be a good challenge for us,” said George.

“Fortunately everyone is pretty healthy and we have this week to execute a game plan.”

One year removed from a State Championship for the Lady Eagles, George and both his squads experienced a different schedule in 2008 than that of the familiar MACJC teams.

MCC faced teams from Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana, including four year university teams

“We have played some real strong competition this year so I feel like it has given us a lot of experience’” added George.

“We are excited about both matches and look forward to getting out there and competing this week.”

For some good karma, Hinds was the host of last years MACJC State Tournament, won by the Lady Eagles which propelled the program to their first ever NJCAA Region appearance.