Lady Wave, Franklin County, Natchez High fall in soccer playoffs

Published 1:03 am Wednesday, January 27, 2010

HATTIESBURG — After allowing a goal early in the first half, Sacred Heart held Cathedral without a goal the rest of the game and rolled to a 7-1 win over the Lady Green Wave Tuesday night in the first round of the Class 1A/2A/3A Girls South State Tournament.

Madeline Christian gave Cathedral (14-5-0), the Division 7 runner-up, a 1-0 lead with her goal in the first five minutes of the game. That would be the lone bright spot for the Lady Green Wave.

“It was a nice shot. It went over the goalie’s hands,” Lady Green Wave head coach David Gaudé said.

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From that point on, the Division 6 champion Lady Crusaders dominated the action. They took the lead later on the in the first half and did not let up. Sacred Heart will take on the winner of the Resurrection-St. Andrew’s game in the second round on Saturday.

Clarkdale boys 3,

Franklin County 2

MERIDIAN — Franklin County led 2-0 at halftime, but Clarkdale responded with three second-half goals as the host Bulldogs defeated the visiting Bulldogs Tuesday night in the first round of the Class 1A/2A/3A Boys South State Tournament.

“It was a tough game. Tough place to play. This is what you call home-field advantage,” Franklin County head coach Jamie Madison said.

Hunter Hatcher scored both goals for Division 7 runner-up Franklin County. His first goal was within the first three minutes of the game on an assist from Brett Buckles. His second goal was at the 37th minute with an assist by Hoby Mullins.

However, Franklin County (15-4-3) was not able to keep the momentum going and Division 6 champion Clarkdale took advantage and advanced to the second round on Saturday against the winner of the Resurrection-St. Andrew’s game.

Franklin County goalkeeper Wil Rouse had 32 saves in the game, but he needed two more to keep the season going.

Ocean Springs girls 8,

Natchez High 0

OCEAN SPRINGS — The Natchez High Lady Bulldogs were simply overmatched by a very good Ocean Springs team Tuesday night in the first round of the Class 6A Girls South State Tournament.

Ocean Springs, the Division 7 champion, scored early and often in the first half en route to a 6-0 halftime lead. The Lady Greyhounds added two goals in the second half against the Division 6 runner-up Lady Bulldogs, who finished 2-11-1.

“They had a huge bench. They must have had like 40 players on their bench,” Natchez High head coach Dennis Hogue said. “They had plenty of people to keep fresh legs. Everybody on the team had super skills.”

Ocean Springs advanced to the second round and will take on the winner of the Brandon-Gulfport game this Saturday.

Ocean Springs boys 12, Natchez High 0

OCEAN SPRINGS — Even though Natchez High did the best it could against one of the best teams in the state, the Bulldogs were shut out by the Ocean Springs Greyhounds Tuesday night in the first round of the Class 6A South State Tournament.

“The boys team was very accurate. They passed around us. They dropped passes over us. Everybody’s super fast,” Hogue said. “We knew we were outmatched. We knew we were outmanned. They had 30 players on the bench. We knew going in they were going to be incredible.”

Division 7 champion Ocean Springs led Division 6 runner-up Natchez High 8-0 at halftime. The Greyhounds scored four more goals in the second half while the Bulldogs have very few scoring opportunities.

“That’s all they do. They play soccer year-round. They were just phenomenal,” Hogue said. “Our kids had a good time. They played 100 percent. I was proud of the boys. They supported each other. They kept their heads up. They stayed on their toes.”

Natchez High finished with a 4-14-1 record while Ocean Springs will take on the winner of the Oak Grove-Gulfport game on Saturday in the second round.