Pearl River holds off Southwest

POPLARVILLE, Miss. — A year ago, Southwest seemed to have the number of Pearl River’s men’s soccer team. The Wildcats got a measure of redemption Tuesday, although it wasn’t easy. PRCC built an early lead but had to hold on late, besting the visiting Bears 6-2 at the PRCC Sports Complex.

“We really felt we were the better team all night. We missed some opportunities but it was more of a mental lapse from us to give up the two all-world goals like we did,” PRCC coach Drew Gallant said. “Their record isn’t what it was last year, but they still play hard and make it a hard-fought game.”

Some confusion and a heads up play led to PRCC’s opening goal in the 25thminute. The referee had called offsides against the Wildcats (3-0-1 overall) deep in Southwest’s end. The Bear defender played the ball back across the goal mouth, apparently catching his teammates unaware the play had restarted. Jonovan Cucurullo (Bay St. Louis; Bay) saw the pass, picked it off and nimbly placed it behind a confused keeper. After the referee conferred with his linesman, the goal stood for a 1-0 Pearl River advantage.

“That was definitely a momentum changer in the game,” Gallant said.

Shandy James (Trench Town, Jamaica) and Mike Jimenez (Ocean Springs) teamed up for PRCC’s second goal 10 minutes later.