The East Central Community College Lady Warriors posted a shutout in their first preseason match of the 2019 season Friday, Aug. 9, with a 4-0 win over the visiting Southwest Tennessee Community College Saluqis.
The match was played at the Warrior Field Soccer Complex on the ECCC campus in Decatur.
Scoring goals for the Lady Warriors were freshman midfielder Madison Diers (Ellisville, South Jones), assisted by Leah Anderson (Leyland, United Kingdom); freshman forward Hannah Herren (Florence), assisted by Ali Grace Walker (Newton County); Anderson (unassisted); and freshman midfielder Abbie Rutledge (Sheffield, United Kingdom), assisted by Macey Spencer (Florence). Sophomore Emily Pitts (Pearl) played 75 minutes in goal for the shutout.
"Overall, we are excited about the progress the girls have made in five days," said second-year Head Coach Ryan Joiner. "We're a long way away from where we want to be, but the steps we've taken in a short period of time give us hope that we can build on this week of preseason as we progress into the regular season. Twenty-one players saw time in the game today and showed that our depth and quality in all positions will be crucial to our success.
"Our motto for the season is to stay #inthemoment and we did just that today."
East Central has one more preseason game before the regular season begins. They will host the Meridian Community College Lady Eagles at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, on the synthetic turf of Bailey Stadium on campus.
The regular season begins Thursday, Aug. 22, when the Lady Warriors travel to Perkinston to face Mississippi Gulf Coast at 7 p.m.
East Central sophomore forward Macey Spencer makes a pass downfield as rain falls in first half action against Southwest Tennessee. (EC Photo)