The Mississippi School for Mathematics & Science girls soccer team returned to the win column on a rainy Saturday at the Lowndes County Soccer Complex with a 5-1 win over Nettleton.
Elena Eaton led the Blue Waves with 2 goals, while Lauren Rutherford, Jaeden Wesley and Claire Ellison each scored once. Goalkeeper Blair Diffrient made 4 saves.
“The team shows a lot of collective discipline and organization,” said boys coach Armando Leyva, who was coaching the girls in coach Chuck Yarborough’s absence. “Our captains on and off the field made sure the team played with a clear idea in mind. Everybody put the extra effort and attention needed for a game in these weather conditions.”
“We’ve been battling illness and injury for a while,” Yarborough said after the match. “It’s awesome to see the girls continuing to support one another and get back in the win column against a solid district opponent.”
The MSMS girls improved to 5-4, 2-4 in Class 1A, Region 1.
The MSMS boys won a challenging match, defeating Nettleton 5-4 as Carter Miller and Chingun Tsogt-Erdene each scored 2 goals, and Nicholas Djedjos added a goal.
James Talamo had 3 saves, and Gordon Welch had 1.
“We faced a very physical game on a very muddy and already damaged field in the rain,” Leyva said. “We had to combine our need to win with our obligation to keep all players safe, especially after having an important injury late in the first half due to field conditions.
“The score loses most of its significance when you worry about a player and teammate.”
The MSMS boys improved to 6-2, 5-2 in 1A-1, moving into second place in the region with two matches remaining.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.