Sophomore forward Leah Anderson picked up her second hat trick of the season to help the East Central Community College Lady Warriors get back in the winning column with a 5-1 non-division soccer victory over Gulf Coast Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Soccer Pitch in Decatur.
In the men's action that followed, the Gulf Coast Bulldogs defeated East Central 4-0.
Anderson (Leyland, United Kingdom) had one goal in the first half and two more goals in the second half, giving her 11 for the season. She also scored three goals at Southwest back on Aug. 30. Also scoring for East Central were sophomore midfielder Macey Spencer (Florence) and freshman midfielder Daelyn Kell (Ocean Springs). Picking up assists were sophomore defender Katelyn Morson (Vicksburg, Warren Central) with two and freshman forward Hannah Herren (Florence) and Kell with one each.
"Today was a day where we had the opportunity to play a lot of players and get some much-needed rest to those who have picked up injuries and are out with illness," commented ECCC Women's Soccer Coach Ryan Joiner. "It was exciting to have Leah Anderson pick up where she left off before her injury against Pearl River last week with her second hat trick of the season. We have a big game against Jones College Friday and are looking forward to playing under the lights in Bailey Stadium."
With the win, the East Central Lady Warriors are now 5-3-1 on the season, while the Gulf Coast Lady Bulldogs are 1-9-1. The Lady Warriors defeated the Lady Bulldogs by the same score on the road in Perkinston on Aug. 22.
The ECCC Warriors fell to 3-7 on the season. The Gulf Coast Bulldogs are 8-3. Gulf Coast also defeated the Warriors earlier in the season 7-2 in Perkinston.
The East Central teams will remain at home to host Jones College on Friday, Sept. 27, with the men's match starting at 5 p.m. and the women to follow at 7 p.m. in Bailey Stadium on campus.
The following week, the East Central men will host Andrew College of Cuthbert, Ga., at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1, while the women will travel to Summit to play Southwest at 2 p.m. that same day.
Both teams will face Holmes in Ridgeland on Friday, Oct. 4, with the women's match at 1 p.m. and the men playing at 3 p.m.