Wildcats score in bunches to topple East Central

POPLARVILLE -- The Pearl River Community College men's soccer team scored early and often Tuesday, toppling the visiting East Central Community College Warriors 10-2.

Seven different Wildcats (3-0) found their way onto the goal sheet, led by freshman Mike Jimenez (Ocean Springs). The former Greyhound netted a hat trick in the first half, scoring all three goals before the 44th minute.

"He looks like he is gliding out there," PRCC coach Drew Gallant said. "He always looks so smooth on the ball and that was the same case with his goals tonight.

"It was a breakout performance of sorts for him."

Mike Jimenez, shown in Pearl River Community College's opener against Itawamba Community College, scored three goals Tuesday to help lift the Wildcats to a 10-2 victory over East Central Community College (BRETT RUSS/PRCC ATHLETICS)

Cooper Grafe (Kiln; Hancock) opened the scoring in the 11th minute, with Jevaun Ennis (Maypen, Jamaica) adding goals in the 44th and 53rd minute. Bo Bowman (Bay St. Louis; Bay), Kealan Baggett (Ocean Springs), Shawn Trahan (Carriere; Pearl River Central) and Isidro Loya (Picayune) all factored into the second half scoring.

Baggett and Bowman each picked up two assists, while Daminik White (Kingston, Jamaica), Ethan Hodby (Leicester, England), Andrew Holland (Pascagoula; Resurrection Catholic), August Harp (Jackson; Murrah), Joe Elliott (Leicester, England) and Kyle Van Marcke (Picayune; Pearl River Central) all added assists of their own.

With a number of players he could have chosen to highlight, Gallant actually singled out two subs during his post-game speech.

"Thinking about the most recent things, Shawn came on and scored a goal, an amazing goal," he said. "Shawn hasn’t gotten any reps with the first team and neither has Kyle Van Marck but their movement off the ball, you can tell they’ve actually been paying attention in meetings because their movement was amazing and they were doing what we have worked on with the first team.

"It made me really happy to see that we have got kids paying attention that really want to get in and get more minutes.”

Kobe Lie (Hattiesburg; North Forrest) made five saves to earn his third win of the season. Logan Wilkerson and Victor Gomes scored for ECCC (0-2).

NEXT UP

PRCC returns to action Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

"Going to Gulf Coast has always been difficult. With the history between the two programs you always expect a massive game," Gallant said. "There will be a huge crowd at the game and you expect them to give you their best. It will be a physical game.

"Hopefully we come out on top, but we know we have a big mountain to climb."

For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).