prepare for Coast battles

[1/28/05] The Warren Central and Vicksburg High soccer teams will pepper three cities on the Gulf Coast Saturday with plans of returning to Vicksburg for the Class 5A state soccer semifinals.

The Vicksburg Missy Gators (12-9-2) are scheduled to play at Biloxi at 1 p.m., while the Gators (12-9-1) are slated to play at Pascagoula at 4 p.m. Warren Central’s girls (16-6-1) are set to play at Long Beach at 2 p.m. All won first-round playoff games on Tuesday night.

Of the three, the VHS girls may face the most unusual circumstances. Biloxi (12-5) plays its home games in a brand-new stadium, one that features an artificial surface like the ones used at USM and Ole Miss football stadiums. The Lady Indians are undefeated this season at home.

“That’s going to be a big thing, how will we adjust to the (artificial) field,” Manton said. “And it’s probably going to be still raining because the forecast is for it to rain all weekend, but we’re set to play at 1 p.m. on Saturday.”

While the field’s surface will be a new challenge, Biloxi is not a newcomer to the Missy Gators.

“They’re still a lot like they were when we went down there two years ago. They are a one-dimensional team and that is they have No. 7 (Jeana Erickson),” Manton said. “We’ve played her when she was in eighth grade up here and in the ninth grade two years ago down there. She’s an OD (Olympic Development) player and their whole plan is to get her the ball.”

Erickson had three goals in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Ocean Springs. She now has 40 for the season.

The VHS boys are coming off their first-ever post-season victory, beating Picayune 3-2 on Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium.

Gators coach Jason Bennett said his team must put behind their newfound success and focus on a long trip to Pascagoula.

Pascagoula upended Gulfport 4-2 in the first round.

“The Gulfport coach told me that Pascagoula can control the ball pretty well. They’ve got one good forward and that they have a pretty good team,” Bennett said.

The Gators are led by sophomore Michael Cooper, who has 12 goals this season.

Tenth-ranked Warren Central takes on a Long Beach club that beat Pascagoula on the road. The Lady Vikes downed 11th-ranked Oak Grove 1-0 on Tuesday in their first round game.

Goalkeeper Emily Coker posted her 15th shutout of the season. The senior has allowed just 19 goals in 24 games, reducing her goals per game average to .791.

Kari Lieberman is the team’s top scorer, but Tuesday’s lone goal came from Mary Clare Scurria on a penalty kick.