POPLARVILLE— The Pearl River Lady Wildcats notched a win Friday night as they defeated the Hinds Lady Eagles 3-1.
The Lady Wildcats (5-5) dominated possession throughout the match giving themselves plenty of opportunities.
The Lady Eagles (1-6) goalkeeper Kim Hardy made some impressive stops in the match but allowed her first girl in the 20th minute when PRCC's Sarah Havens (East Central) hit a beautiful through ball from just inside midfield to put Rena Gordon (Clarendon, Jamaica) in on goal. The Jamaican didn't miss her opportunity, putting the Lady Wildcats ahead 1-0.
Gordon wasn't be done. Nine minutes later she buried a rebound off of a corner kick to make the score 2-0 PRCC.
In the second half Shelby Lowery (Ellisville; South Jones) got in on the action in the 80th minute when she punched in a pass from Rena Gordon.
"I felt like some of our players had a good game, I thought Shelby Lowery came in and gave us a lift," PRCC coach Jack Byrd said. "Gordon was fantastic." Hinds responded late in the contest when Michelle Reid broke the shutout with a goal in the 84th minute.
PRCC goalkeepers Abbi Thexton (Sumrall) and Mallorie Seal (Brooklyn; Forrest County AHS) split time with Thexton making four saves in the second half while Seal picked up the win making three saves in the first half.
Byrd was pleased with the win but also noted that there's still a few things that his squad can work on to improve.
"We have to start rewarding minutes with effort and unselfishness," he said. "We are only going to be as good as we allow ourselves to be."
Next up for the Lady Wildcats will be a home contest this Sunday against Angelina Community College out of Texas.