from school reports
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN —
Competition gets under way today for the East Central Community College soccer squads who take on Copiah-Lincoln Community College in non-division match-ups starting at 2 p.m. on the Decatur campus.
East Central continues its homestand by entertaining Southwest Mississippi Community College on Tuesday. Game times are 2 and 4 p.m. The Soccer Warriors host Wallace State at 2 p.m. on Sept. 3.
ECCC soccer coach Kenneth Thompson said expectations are “very high” for successful campaigns as both squads prepare for a new season in a new division. For the first time, ECCC soccer teams are members of the MACJC North Division along with Holmes, Itawamba, Hinds and Northwest. The South Division includes Gulf Coast, Co-Lin, Southwest, Jones County and Pearl River.
“I’m impressed with the talent level of both teams, even though each squad is mostly composed of freshmen,” Thompson said. “Everyone is really working hard toward the same goal….which is to have a successful season.”
Defender Brooke Boulton is the top returnee for the East Central women. Boulton was an MACJC All-State selection and received the team’s Golden Boot Award. She is a product of Newton County High School.
Other sophomores include forward Laurel Burnett, a product of Neshoba Central High School; midfielders Monica Vincent and Jessy Harrison, and midfielder/forward Polly Vaughn, all products of Newton County High School; and defender Kathryn White of Northeast Lauderdale High School; and keeper Anna-Rose Blaylock of Newton County Academy.
Burnett was an All-District goalie and forward at Neshoba Central. Vincent, who received the Warriors’ hustle award last season, served as a team captain at Newton County in addition to receiving first team All-District honors. She also received the Cougar award. Harrison was also an All-District selection at Newton County and received most improved player and captain awards.
Freshman players include midfielder/forward Carrie Rushing, midfielders Laci Hand and Emily Lucy, defenders Nikki Cumberland and Cayla Engle and forward/keeper Wendy McCracken, all of Newton County High School; midfielder Kelsey Shaw, and defender Taylor Lynch and midfielder Kristen Grace Nettles.
Hand was an All-District selection and Lucy received the honor on three occasions. Cumberland also made All-District in addition to receiving most valuable defensive player and most improved awards. McCracken was chosen first team All-Division.
Midfielder Alejandro Chavez, an MACJC All-State selection in 2009, is the top returnee for the East Central men.
Other sophomores include defender Justin Huguet, forward Ben Stewart, midfielders Jackson Therrien of Newton County Academy, Joey Walker of Newton County High School, David Galvin, Zack Hutson, and keeper Micah McKee of West Lauderdale.
Stewart received the best forward award at Grenada. Walker served as team captain for the Cougars and received the Senior Award. Hutson was named best offensive player at McComb.
Freshmen include forwards Frederick Davis, Matthew Hill, Miguel Lewis, midfielders Josh Scafide, Miguel Medrano, Kyle Dunkerson and Aaron Scoggin, both of Newton County; Wayne O’Neal and Colby Fulton; defenders Erik Dries, Joey Lawn of West Lauderdale, Tyler Reeves of Newton County, Chris Johnson and Marshall White; forward/midfielder Jared Walker and keepers Chad Magnum and Jacob Scoggin of Newton County.
Scoggin twice received All-District honors and was named District MVP in 2009 and most valuable offensive player in 2008. He was also twice named the Cougars’ most valuable offensive player. Lawn was a second team All-District selection at West Lauderdale and received Rookie of the Year honors.
