MCC Soccer Ready For 2016 Season

From School Reports

The 2016 Meridian Community College soccer season is on the horizon and the expectations are very high once again for both teams heading into the rough waters of the MACJC. MCC coach Mike Smith will now serve as head coach for both squads heading into 2016 season and each team should provide plenty of excitement for local soccer enthusiasts. The two squads will return a wealth of experience at key positions on the field and the mix of talent could provide for many special moments for the program that still boasts the only junior college National Championship in soccer among all of the schools in the state of Mississippi.

The team with the most experience heading into the start of the season will be the MCC Lady Eagles who advanced to the MACJC State Playoffs a season ago and are looking to make a giant step forward in 2016. The Lady Eagles will return five key players from its 2015 squad and MCC head coach Mike Smith is extremely excited about the championship possibilities of his women’s team.

"I really like this women's team,” said Smith. “I think we have a lot of experience coming back. We were young on the field last season, so I think the girls going through the battles last year will benefit this season. We expect nothing short of competing for a Region 23 title. The girls are determined and still have a bad taste in their mouth after the 1st round loss last year.”

Effie Morrison will look to lead the charge in 2016 for the Lady Eagles after leading the team in goals last season with 18 and being named to the All-Region Team. The 18 goals in her first season was also second among all players in the MACJC. The other key factor will be on the defensive side for the Lady Eagles as Kylee Burke will return for her sophomore season. Burke was named a member of the MACJC All-State Team and started all 18 games last season at defender for the Lady Eagles. Madison Drummond, Abbie Pope, and Abbey Pate will also be returning for their sophomore campaign at MCC after starting 17 games together at midfield in 2015. The veteran leadership at the midfield spots for the Lady Eagles should prove to bring plenty of chemistry to the field this season for the Lady Eagles.

The new additions to the women’s team this season will include: Alandria Smith (Laurel High School), Jackson Murrah (Laurel High School), Zaria Husband (Laurel High School), Jessica Clark (Tuscaloosa), Gabrielle Joyce (Jones JC transfer), and Samantha Vogel (Jones JC transfer). MCC will also look for solid minutes from newcomers Kayla Jefcoat (West Jones High School) and Lindsey Jenkins (South Jones High School) at defender.

The MCC men’s soccer team is looking to bounce back in a big way this season as Smith will take over the duties of head coach for the first time in his career. The MCC men will also have several key returning starters from the 2015 squad that finished 2-14 overall, but those players should provide plenty of veteran leadership.

"The men had a tough season last year,” said Smith. “They were very unlucky that things didn't go their way in a couple games or they could've won a few more. I think the guys are fired up for the season to get started. They are looking at it as a new season and a new attitude, and they've been working very hard this preseason, and we think we can make the playoffs this season.”

The men will be led by returning goalkeeper Joe Smith who will be one of the top returning goalkeepers in the conference in 2016. Smith had a great start to his 2015 season by winning the MACJC Goalkeeper of the Week and will look to be a veteran presence on the team this season. MCC will also return forward Elijah Wheat and defender Jeremy Smith to the 2016 team. Wheat scored three goals last season for the Eagles and saw his freshman season end early with an injury, while Smith started every game as a freshman for the Eagles and should prove to be a solid presence as a defender.

The Eagles will look to lean on a ton of youth in 2016 with key additions to the team that include: Pedro Dutra (Brazil), Thallison Alex (Brazil), Donja Smith (Tyler Junior College transfer), Logan Pippen (Northeast Jones High School), Kale Voge (Northeast Jones High School), and Devon Pitts (East Central CC transfer).

The 2016 season will officially start on August 25 as the MCC men will take on Holmes Community College in a home match at C.D. Smith Field beginning at 7 p.m. The MCC men will play its first regular season match on August 27 with a road trip to Delta State University at 4 p.m. The first home doubleheader for both teams will take place on August 31 against rival East Central Community College at 5 p.m.

The MCC soccer program will also host its annual Alumni Day on Saturday (August 20) at C.D. Smith Field beginning at 5 p.m. The 2016 MCC soccer teams will be introduced and that will be followed by the Alumni Day festivities.

For more information about MCC soccer contact head coach Mike Smith at 601-484-8857.