Although the start of Meridian Community College’s soccer season is months away, it didn’t prevent current and incoming players from coming together for a fun-filled afternoon at the Jaycee Soccer Complex. 

More than 160 soccer players of all skill levels joined a number of current and future MCC Eagles for the State Games of Mississippi’s Netfest soccer tournament. Thirty-four teams participated in the event. 

Meridian Lady Eagle defender Lexi Felder played as a member of Team Dirty Birdz.

“I think having them out here with the 3v3 tournament helps with them bonding with us physically and mentally, because we’re getting to know how they play, as well as their personalities and stuff,” Felder said. “I really think with us doing this, it will help build a stronger team for next year.”

The event attracted players from Hattiesburg, Caledonia, and surrounding areas, and teams from five divisions battled for a spot in the evening’s championship games. 

An early afternoon contest in the under-30 division pitted teams Caw Caw and We Dem Birdz, and both teams featured rosters of current and future MCC soccer players. 

Caw Caw edged We Dem Birdz 8-7, but We Dem Birdz player Mara Shelton said she enjoyed the opportunity to meet and bond with future teammates.

“It was really fun,” said Shelton, a Neshoba Central senior and MCC soccer commit. “It’s a great experience to really get to know the incoming girls and who you’re thinking about rooming with, and seeing some of the MCC girls who are already playing. It’s just a great experience.”

That both team names paid homage to MCC’s Eagle mascot was no coincidence. 

“Coach Mike (Smith) asked what team names we wanted to have, and I didn’t want to give team names,” Northeast Jones senior and MCC commit Rebecca Gregory said. “But other people gave random names, and we’re the Eagles, so, it went with the (theme).”

Having played traditional soccer for many years, players said there was a steep learning curve. Saturday’s games were 30 minutes in length, opposed to the traditional 80-minute format. Goalkeepers were also absent. 

“You can’t get inside the goalie box or it’s an automatic goal,” said MCC goalkeeper and team Caw Caw’s Caydn Perez. “It’s hard to defend. You have to stride so you’re not standing in the goalie box. You have to stand around the outside of the edge. So, it plays into it a lot. Our first game, we couldn’t get a hold of that, and we gave five goals away. This game, we were able to defend a little bit better, pass the ball better and score some goals.”

Southeast Lauderdale senior Andres Alonso will don green-and-while for the Eagles next season. He joined his We Dem Birdz teammates Saturday in what was his second time playing 3 v 3 soccer. 

“(Coach) Mike said it would be a good chance to meet some of the MCC players,” Alonso said. “I felt like it would be fun, and I haven’t played soccer in a while.”