Behind two goals from sophomore Leah Anderson, the East Central Community College Lady Warriors got into the win column in MACJC North Division soccer play with a 3-0 victory at Hinds on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The Warriors lost another heartbreaking match in the nightcap with a 2-1 double overtime loss to the Hinds Eagles.
With the win, the East Central Lady Warriors improved to 3-2 on the season and 1-2 in division play, while the Hinds Lady Eagles fell to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in North Division play.
The ECCC men fell to 2-4 on the season and 0-3 in division play. The Hinds Eagles are now 2-2-1 overall and 2-1 in the division.
Freshman midfielder Caleb James (Jackson, Jim Hill) got East Central's only goal in the men's match with about 30 minutes to play to tie the score at 1-1. The match then went into the second overtime before Hinds pulled out the 2-1 win.
In the women's action, the ECCC Lady Warriors got a much-needed win to remain in contention for postseason play.
Anderson, a forward from Leyland, United Kingdom, continued her strong play in the 2019 season with her sixth and seventh goals. One came in the first half to give East Central a 1-0 lead and the second came in the 87th minute to put the Lady Warriors up 3-0.
Freshman forward Brendaisha Garrett (Gautier) picked up East Central's other goal in the first half.
Freshman defender Ameris Taylor (Ocean Springs), sophomore defender Katelyn Morson (Vicksburg, Warren Central), and Garrett all had assists.
"The game was very much in control in the first half before Hinds tested us the second half," said second year East Central Head Women's Coach Ryan Joiner. "We were happy with individual performances from our players, but too many times we lacked the final pass and finish to really take the game over. In the end, a 3-0 result in an away division game is always a great way to rebound after last week."
The Lady Warriors and Warriors will be at home on Friday, Sept. 13, for more MACJC North Division contests as the teams from Northwest visit Decatur for matches at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The following week, the East Central teams will face Pearl River in Poplarville at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, before playing in the Rush Tournament Friday, Sept. 20, in Meridian. The Lady Warriors will face LSU-Eunice at 1 p.m. in the tournament and the Warriors will also face LSU-Eunice in a match starting at 3 p.m.