MCC soccer set for postseason

(MERIDIAN) -Both Meridian Community College soccer teams are now set for postseason play as the Eagles and Lady Eagles will travel to Pearl River Community College on Friday and Saturday for the 2009 NJCAA Region 23 Soccer Championships.

On Friday the Eagles will begin playoff action at 6 PM against MACJC Runner-Up, Hinds Community College. A win over Hinds carry the Eagles into the NJCAA Region 23 Championship game on Saturday at 5 PM against MACJC State Champion, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

The Lady Eagles will play for the NJCAA Region 23 title game against MACJC State Champion and tournament host-Pearl River Community College on Saturday at 3 PM.

“We are playing the best soccer we’ve played all year,” said MCC head soccer coach, Alex George.

“We’ve got to string together two halves and get the job done. Playoffs mean only one thing. Win or go home. You have to play like there is no tomorrow.”

If MCC wins the NJCAA Region 23 Championship then they will host the NJCAA District Championship next weekend.

NJCAA Region 23 Soccer Championships
Poplarville, MS/Pearl River Community College
Fri-Sat, Oct 30-31, 2009
Friday
Play-in game Meridian men vs. Hinds men 6 PM
Saturday
NJCAA Region 23 Championship Game Meridian women vs. Pearl River women 3 PM
NJCAA Region 23 Championship Game MCC/Hinds winner vs. MS Gulf Coast men 5 PM

MCC releases 2009-2010 basketball schedule

(MERIDIAN) - Meridian Community College announced its 2009-10 men’s and women’s basketball schedule this week.

It’s an exciting slate that features over 25 regular season games for both the Eagles and Lady Eagles, including 11 men’s/women’s doubleheader games at the Graham Gymnasium and has MCC hosting the Miss-Lou Conference Tournament at the end of the season.

In addition, Meridian will face familiar teams this season, including longtime in-state rivals- East Mississippi, Jones County and Hinds, plus Miss-Lou foe, Delgado.
The MCC men, coached by George Brooks, will open up at home against New Horizon on November 2 before facing Mississippi Elite on November 5, both games are scheduled for 7:00 PM tip-off at the Graham Gymnasium.

Head women’s basketball coach Hillary Allen and his Lady Eagles will officially open their campaign with home games on November 7 (vs. Bishop State) and November 11 vs. Trinity Valley).

The Lady Eagles won over 20 games last season and captured the Miss-Lou Conference title along with earning a birth in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.
For a full look at the MCC 09-10 schedule, please see below:


2009-2010 Men's & Women's Basketball
DAY MONTH DATE OPPONENT WOMEN MEN
Mon. Nov. 2 NEW HORIZON 7:00
Thurs. Nov. 5 MS ELITE 7:00
Sat. Nov. 7 BISHOP STATE 3:00 5:00
Wed. Nov. 11 TRINITY VALLEY 6:00
Thurs. Nov. 12 @East Mississippi 7:30
Sat. Nov. 14 @Selma 2:00 4:00
Wed. Nov. 18 @East Mississippi 6:00
Thurs. Nov. 19 ALABAMA SOUTHERN 6:00 8:00
Sat. Nov. 21 COAHOMA 4:00 6:00
Mon. Nov. 23 HINDS 4:00 6:00
Tues. Dec. 1 SELMA 6:00 8:00
Thurs. Dec. 3 SHELTON STATE 6:00 8:00
Sat. Dec. 5 @Bishop State 3:00 5:00
Thurs. Dec. 10 @Alabama Southern 5:30 7:30
Sat. Dec. 12 @Coahoma 6:00 8:00
Mon. Dec. 14 MS ELITE 5:00
Wed. Jan. 6 EAST MISSISSIPPI 6:00 8:00
Sat. Jan. 9 @Shelton State 5:30 7:30
Mon. Jan. 11 @Hinds 6:00 8:00
Wed. Jan. 13 @Hanceville 5:30
Sat. Jan. 16 Baton Rouge # 5:00 7:00
Thurs. Jan. 21 @Jones County 6:00 8:00
Sat. Jan. 23 SHREVEPORT 2:00 4:00
Wed. Jan. 27 @Delgado 5:00 7:00
Sat. Jan. 30 BATON ROUGE 2:00 4:00
Wed. Feb. 3 @Shreveport 6:00 8:00
Sat. Feb. 6 DELGADO * 2:00 4:00
Mon. Feb. 8 HANCEVILLE 6:00
Sat. Feb. 13 Shreveport # 5:00 7:00
Mon. Feb. 15 JONES COUNTY 6:00 8:00
Wed. Feb. 17 @Delgado 5:00 7:00
Sat. Feb. 20 @Baton Rouge 2:00 4:00
Tue-Wed Feb. 23-24 Miss/Lou Tournament 6:00 8:00
Mon-Thur MAR 1-4 NJCAA Region 23 TBA TBA
All times are Central
# Mississippi College/Clinton, MS
* Homecoming

Eagles dominate at Windance, win third event of fall season

Williamson wins medalist title

(GULFPORT) -The Meridian Community College golf team closed out their fall season in style as sophomore Cory Williamson drained a 15 foot birdie putt on the final hole to win medalist honors and help MCC sweep the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational by 16 strokes.

The win was the third victory in the last four events by the Eagles.

MCC shot a 294 on the final day, their 11th consecutive sub-300 team score this season, to lead the event wire to wire.

Williamson, from Collins, MS, also led the event wire to wire with rounds of 70-72 to finish at 2-under par for his first college medalist title.

Sophomore Garrett Westbrook shot rounds of 71-74 to finish in a tie for third place and was named to his fifth career All Tournament team.

Freshman Clemens Dvorak shot rounds of 72-74 to finish in a tie for fifth and was also named to the All Tournament team.

Freshman Adam Monsen shot rounds of 74-73 and finished in a tie for eighth.

Freshman Brandt Garon shot rounds of 74-74 and sophomore Nick Hawkes rounded out MCC scoring with 80-78.

18 teams from across the nation participated in the event held at Windance Country Club in Gulfport.

MCC won the event with 581 total while John A. Logan (IL) College, the defending national champions, and South Mountain Community College, out of Phoenix, AZ, tied for second 16 shots behind the Eagles. Central Alabama shot 598 to claim fourth place.

"It was an amazing effort by our team," said MCC coach Sean Covich, who has now led the Eagles to 13 victories in four seasons.

"This is quite possibly the strongest field we've played against minus the national championship. This win will give us a lot of confidence and momentum for the spring."

The event, hosted by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, wrapped up the fall season for MCC as the Eagles went 48-9-0 (W-L-T) versus all competition with three team victories and two individual medalist titles this fall.

MCC will take the winter months off and return to competition in February when they start the spring portion of their schedule. The season will officially conclude in May at the 2010 NJCAA Division I National Championship in Huntsville, AL.

Eagles take the lead in Gulfport

(GULFPORT)- The Meridian Community College golf team used a 1-under par team score of 287 to take the opening round lead at the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational hosted by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at Windance Country Club.

The under-par round is the third time MCC has fired an even-par or lower team score this fall.

MCC is in first place with 287 and leads the event by 15 shots. Defending NJCAA Division II national champions, John A. Logan (IL) College, is in second with a 302 while South Mountain (AZ) Community College out of Phoenix is in third with a 304.

18 teams are entered into the event with 97 college golfers participating.

"We've had a great fall thus far with two tournament victories and an individual medalist title," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

"But to lead this event with this many quality teams from Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, and Mississippi is quite an accomplishment for the guys. There is still a lot of golf yet to be played but you can't ask for a better opening round."

Individually the Eagles were led by sophomore Cory Williamson who posted a 2-under par score of 70. Williamson's 2-under is leading the event.

Sophomore Garrett Westbrook shot a 1-under par score of 71, freshman Clemens Dvorak shot event par 72.

Freshmen Brandt Garon and Adam Monsen each fired rounds of 2-over par 74, while sophomore Nick Hawkes rounded out MCC's scoring with an 8-over par round of 80.

Final round action will begin Tuesday with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

MCC set to host soccer tryouts Saturday (OCT 17)

(MERIDIAN) - Meridian Community College will be hosting soccer tryouts Saturday, October 17th.

Tryouts will be at MCC's C.D. Smith Soccer field with the men beginning at 9:00 am and women at 10:00 am.

For more information contact Head Coach Alex George at 601-781-7220.

MCC moves up leaderboard final round of NJCAA Preview

(HUNTSVILLE, Ala.) - The Meridian Community College golf team posted a 294 team score in the final round of the NJCAA National Preview on Tuesday in Huntsville, AL.

The Eagles improved five shots from their opening round 299 to finish with a 593 total and move up the leader board one spot to finish in eighth place at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail-Hampton Cove.

Leading the way for MCC was freshman Brandt Garon with a 147 (76-71). Freshman Clemens Dvorak shot 148 (74-74), sophomore Cory Williamson posted 149 (75-74), sophomore Nick Hawkes shot 150 (74-76) while sophomore Garrett Westbrook rounded out MCC's scores with 154 (79-75).

"The last round was better for us," said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

"If we're able to shoot 294 during the National Championship in May we'll have a chance."

In the team standings defending national champion- McLennan (TX) captured the team title with a 571.

Juan Salcedo of McLennan won the medalist title with 8-under 136 (68-68).

Meridian will return to action next week at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Fall Invitational at Windance Country Club in Gulfport, MS.

MCC Individual scores:
t23 Brandt Garon 76-71 (147) +3
t27 Clemens Dvorak 74-74 (148) +4
t32 Cory Williamson 75-74 (149) +5
t39 Nick Hawkes 74-76 (150) +6
t56 Garrett Westbrook 79-75 (154) +10

Team Results:
1 McLennan (TX) 289 282 571 -5
2 Central Alabama 290 288 578 +2
3 Odessa (TX) 292 290 582 +6
4 Brevard (FL) 289 296 585 +9
5 Western Texas 297 290 587 +11
6 Walters State (TN) 297 291 588 +12
7 Indian Hills (IA) 292 298 590 +14
8 Meridian (MS) 299 294 593 +17
9 Cape Fear (NC) 301 296 597 +21
9 Wallace State (AL) 296 301 597 +21
11Frank Phillips (TX) 299 299 598 +22
12 Tri- County (GA) 301 302 603 +27
13 Darton (GA) 308 296 604 +28
14 S’burg Methodist (SC) 310 301 611 +35
15 Hill (TX) 313 303 616 +40
16 Hutchinson (KS) 311 306 617 +41
17 Faulkner State (AL) 317 302 619 +43

Eagles in top ten at NJCAA Preview

(HUNTSVILLE, Ala.) - Steady rains and wet conditions greeted the participating teams on Monday at the NJCAA National Preview golf tournament held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Hampton Cove Golf Course in Huntsville, Ala.

Originally scheduled for 54 holes, the Preview has been shortened to just two rounds (36 holes) with the final round Tuesday.

Defending national champion, McLennan (TX), is tied with Brevard (FL) for first place with a 289. Central Alabama is in third with a 290.

Meridian Community College shot a 299 to place the Eagles in a tie for ninth with Frank Phillips (TX) College.

17 teams from across the nation are participating in the event with over 90 individual players.

Leading the way for MCC was Clemens Dvorak and Nick Hawkes, who each shot 74 (+2).

Cory Williamson posted a 75 (+3) while Brandt Garon shot a 76 (+4).

Garrett Westbrook rounded out MCC's scores with a 79 (+7).

"It was a tough day for scoring," said MCC head coach, Sean Covich.

"It was our worst round of the year but we're only 10 shots out of first place."

Juan Salcedo of McLennan leads the medalist race with a 68 (-4).

Final round action begins Tuesday at 8 a.m.

TEAM-

1. Brevard (FL) 289
1. McLennan (TX) 289
3. Central Alabama 290
4. Indian Hills (IA) 292
4. Odessa (TX) 292
6. Wallace State (AL) 296
7. Walters State (TN) 297
7. Western Texas 297
9. Meridian (MS) 299
9. Frank Phillips (TX) 299
11. Cape Fear (NC) 301
11. Tri-County (NC) 301
13. Darton (GA) 308
14. Spartanburg Methodist (SC) 310
15. Hutchinson (KS) 311
16. Hill (TX) 313
17. Faulkner State (AL) 317

MCC golf returns to action at NJCAA National Preview

Eagles have won two stright titles heading into National event

(HUNTSVILLE, Ala.) – The Meridian Community College golfers will continue their 2009 fall season on Monday in Huntsville, Ala., at the NJCAA Division I National Championship Preview. The event will feature 18 squads from across the nation, including former national championship teams, Darton (GA), Central Alabama, Faulkner (AL) State, McLennan (TX), and Odessa (TX).

The tournament is being played on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the Hampton Cove “River” course, which plays to a par 72 at well over 7,200 yards long.

“This is a wonderful event for us to play in because these are the teams that will be in the national championship and this is the same course we will play,” said fourth year MCC coach, Sean Covich.

“The Preview has quickly become ‘the’ tournament for DI teams to play in. A great opportunity to play on the same course you’ll battle for the National Championship on come May.”

MCC enters this national event having won back-to-back tournaments for the first time since April of 2007.

“This year we have sophomore experience with freshmen talent,” added Covich who has now led MCC to 12 tournament titles in four seasons.

“That’s a great combination to have.”

The Eagles will be led by two Baton Rouge-natives, freshman Brandt Garon and sophomore Garrett Westbrook. Garon leads MCC in scoring with an amazing 69.3 tournament average and he has already won an individual medalist title which came in his first college event.

Westbrook, a returning NJCAA All American, is second on the team in scoring with a 72.3 tournament average.

Freshman, Clemens Dvorak, and sophomores, Nick Hawkes and Cory Williamson, will round out the MC starting lineup.

Play gets underway Monday with an 8 AM shotgun start. The teams will play 36 holes on Monday and then a final 18 holes on Tuesday.

The tournament committee will recognize, All Tournament Team members, Medalist, Team Champion, and Team Runners-Up following play.

Scoring will be made available on GolfStat.com after each day and “live updates” are available on twitter.com/MCCEagles

Eagles defeat Wallace State, 1-0

(MERIDIAN) - The Meridian Community College men’s soccer team defeated NJCAA Division I opponent, Wallace State-Hanceville on Thursday afternoon 1-0.

The Eagles improved to 4-7 on the season and avenged an earlier 5-4 loss to the Lions on the road back in September.

MCC’s leading scorer, Leon Powell, added to his yearly total with the games lone goal in the first half to give MCC a 1-0 lead at halftime.

The second half would remain scoreless and the Eagles came away with a 1-0 shutout victory. Powell now has 13 goals on the season to lead the team.

“We played very well, it was a great win for us,” said MCC head coach Alex George.

“I am very pleased with the guys.”

The Lady Eagles return to action tomorrow on the road at Emory College in Georgia. Both teams will be back on-campus Monday night for a double-header against Union College starting at 4 p.m.

MCC men’s soccer set to host Wallace State

The Meridian Community College men’s soccer team will return home on Thursday, October 8th to face NJCAA Division I opponent, Wallace State-Hanceville at C.D. Smith Field.

The game, originally slated for 3:30 p.m. has been moved up to a 2:00 p.m. starting time.

This is the second meeting between the two teams with Wallace State winning the first contest 5-4 on September 12th in Hanceville, AL.

Offensively, the Eagles are led by Leon Powell with 12 goals this season. Powell was named the NJCAA Player of the Week back in early September.

MCC golf captures NCAA event, win two weeks in a row

(MERIDIAN) - The Meridian Community College golf team put together yet another impressive performance Tuesday as the MCC "B team" won the Mississippi College Fall Invitational by two shots over host-Mississippi College.

MCC shot 291, the Choctaws shot 293, while Jackson State University had a 310 to place third. East Mississippi shot 313 and placed fourth. Louisiana College shot 320 to round out the top five teams.

Mississippi College JV had 329, Belhaven had 373.

"Two wins in a row is impressive but to have your B team win an NCAA hosted event is something else," said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

Three MCC freshman were named to the All Tournament team.

JT Soley of Laurel led the way, he shot 1-under par 71 to place third and was named to his first career All Tournament team.

Bo Reed of Tupelo placed fourth after shooting Even par 72 and was also named to his first career All Tournament team.

Oscar Mariscal used a dramatic eagle chip in on the final hole to propel MCC to victory and shot 1-over par 73 and was named to the All Tournament team.

Tanner Sparks of Belmont shot a 3-over 75 while freshman Adam Monsen shot a 6-over 78.
The win is the second consecutive for MCC and now the Eagles turn their attention to the NJCAA National Preview next week held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail-Hampton Cove in Huntsville, AL.

Rush Inv. recap (soccer)

(MERIDIAN) - With a capacity crowd on hand Friday night at C.D. Smith Field, the Meridian Community College Lady Eagle Soccer team went head to head with the No. 2 ranked- Polk Community College out of Tampa, Florida in conjunction with this year's Rush Invitational hosted by MCC.

It was a stalemate for much of the first half as Polk struck with 16 minutes left in the first half. The Lady Eagles bounced back and pressured their attacking third until sophomore forward Christina Murray was fouled in the penalty box setting up a pivotal opportunity.

Murray's penalty shot came short as Polk's keeper was able to make an amazing one handed save to deny the Lady Eagle's surge.

The second half the Lady Eagle's did not respond well and Polk possessed the half taking a 3-0 lead before the end of regulation.

"It's one of those matches that you half to put together an entire game and we weren't able to do that today," said MCC head coach Alex George.

"You get a ‘breakout’ game that could lead to national attention and that's when you have to show up to work."

In the Friday nightcap of the Rush Invitational soccer tournament at MCC the host-Eagles took on Gordon (GA) Community College.

The game was scoreless thru one half, 0-0 at intermission.

In the second half, Gordon came out and scored a goal to take a 1-0 lead.

The visiting team held on 1-0 for the win despite a strong effort from MCC in the final half.

"We played solid in the second half but weren't able to get a goal across," said MCC head coach Alex George.

On Saturday, the Lady Eagles put together an impressive shut-out 10-0 win over the Lady Highlanders of Gordon Community College of Barnesville, Georgia.

"Today was a total team effort by our ladies. They came out strong and finished strong," said head coach Alex George.

"I am extremely proud of their performance and it gives us a lot of momentum going into tomorrow's contest".

MCC’s women then knocked off No. 6 Emory College 4-0 in their last match of the Rush Invitational on Sunday.

Scoring a hat trick for the lady eagles was freshman Anastasia Vogel of Tupelo.

Sophomore Christina Murray added the lone goal for MCC.

"Today we strung together two halves and the results show," said MCC head coach Alex George.

The MCC men's team made it a clean sweep on the final day of the Rush Invitational as the Eagles defeated former MACJC-rival, Itawamba Community College, 6-1.

Overall, MCC teams went 3-2 during the tournament.