[01/08/01] Vicksburg High started slow Saturday afternoon against Florence, then steamrolled its way to an 8-0 win.

Courtney Chapman had two goals and three assists, Brandi Parker had two goals and an assist, Michelle Beatty had three assists and Viola Howard, Tayvi Ellis, Megan Kelly and Neely Nasif each scored once for the Missy Gators (9-3). Brandi Head also had one assist.

VHS didn’t score until the 25th minute of the first half, but was able to make it 2-0 before halftime and then blew the game open with six second-half goals.

“We just struggled to find the net early,” VHS coach Kevin Manton said. “The girls were frustrated. I knew it was going to come though.”

Once they got on the board, the Missy Gators’ defense made sure the lead was never in jeopardy by putting a clamp on the Florence offense. The Lady Eagles only crossed midfield “four or five times,” Manton said, and several of those were simply kicks downfield from the Florence side.