POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The No. 3 Pearl River men's soccer continued its unbeaten streak Tuesday night, drawing with No. 13 Gulf Coast 0-0. The Wildcats set the record for shutouts in a season with 10.
"This game showed how big our rivalry with Gulf Coast is," head coach Drew Gallant said. "Both teams are already in the playoffs. Our spot was a lock at No. 1 and they were fighting for the two-spot. It was typical Gulf Coast and Pearl River. They made some tactical changes coming into the game and we did not adjust well in the first half. We did better in the second half. It allowed us to keep the ball more, but not in good areas. It was a good job from them. They defended very well and caught us on counters. That's why they're a top-15 team.
Gallant was proud of his entire team for setting the shutout record.
"It's a big thing for Maddux (Francis)," he said. "The backline played really well, but it is a team thing. We defend as a team. Not just a few people. It was a really good night for us defending.
It seemed as if all the momentum was in Gulf Coast's (9-5-1 overall; 7-2-1 MACCC South) favor to open the game as the Bulldogs built attack after attack.
Pearl River (11-0-2; 9-0-1) nearly conceded a goal in the 24th minute, but the reigning MACCC Goalkeeper of the Week leaped high to pluck the ball out the air.
15 minutes later in the 39th, Harper Baggett (Ocean Springs) had a great chance to break the scoreless tie, but his shot was saved by the Bulldog keeper.
The teams entered halftime tied 0-0.
In the 66th minute, Ryley Smith (Manchester, England.; Castlebrook) received a through ball near the goal before blasting a shot that sailed just high of the goal.
Just a few minutes later in the 70th minute, Andre Nicholson (Kingston, Jamaica.; Clarendon College) had a chance to put a point on the board, nailing a shot along the ground to the goal, but the MGCCC keeper made another save.
The 83rd minute saw Baggett cross a ball into the box before an MGCCC defender headed it away to keep it scoreless.
The Bulldogs had the last scoring chance in regulation, taking a corner kick in the 89th minute. The ball played into the box was headed away by Samuel Lambert (Picayune; Pearl River Central) to take the game to overtime.
In the first period of overtime, the Bulldogs had a chance off of a set-piece just outside of the 18-yeard box. The shot was blasted just over the head of the Wildcat wall, but Francis was there to make the catch for a save.
The last great Pearl River chance came in the 103rd minute. Nicholson stepped up and fired a shot to the left side of the goal, but the keeper extended to knock the ball out of play.
The teams eventually played out to a 0-0 draw in the match.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats return to action Monday as they travel to take on Mobile University's Junior Varsity. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m.
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