After a scoreless first half, Southwest Mississippi Community College got two goals from Tristen Nicholson in the second half and went on to defeat the visiting Itawamba Indians 2-0 Friday afternoon in the Bears’ final non-division match of the season.
The win moved the Bears to 5-6-1 (they are 2-3 in the MACJC South), while Itawamba fell to 4-5-1.
Nicholson picked up his first goal at 47:15 of the match when he headed the ball after a beautiful cross from Tristan Garriga. His final goal came at 84:37, with Jonathan Schmaltz providing the assist.
Bears keeper Bryant Boyington saved all seven Itawamba shots on goal.
The Bears return to action, and South Division play, on Tuesday, when they travel to Wesson to face Co-Lin. The match is set for a 6:30 start.
Lady Bears, Indians tie game 2-2
After battling for 110 minutes Friday afternoon, the Southwest Lady Bears and visiting Itawamba Lady Indians left the field with nothing settled as they ended their non-division soccer match tied at 2-2.
The tie put the Lady Bears at 2-9-1 on the season (they are 1-4 in the MACJC South Division), while Itawamba went to 2-6-1.
Itawamba held a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half on the strength of Hope Burton’s goal at 33:21.
The Lady Bears tied things at 1-1 at 49:10 when Gracey Freeman flicked the ball to Kaitlyn Cooper who then took a shot inside the six.
The score stayed tied until 71:33, when the Lady Indians scored on a goal by Noa Hardin.
In a situation almost matching the Lady Bears’ first goal, they tied the score at 2-2 at 77:05 on a goal by Freeman with Jessica Malloy assisting. The score remained tied after two 10:00 overtime periods.
Lady Bears’ keeper Kendyl Adam saved 12 shots on goal, including two in overtime.
The Lady Bears return to South Division play at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Co-Lin.
