Reigning state champs Lady Admirals Soccer kicks off season with a win

In addition to November and it’s cooler temps ushering in the high school football playoffs, it also marks the beginning of the high school winter sports season.

Student athletes across the Coast are back to competing on the hardwood and the pitch, which means the Lady Admirals soccer team has officially started their battle to defend the MHSAA class 6A state championship.

Led by Head Coach Chris Pryor and then Sophomore Forward Kate Smith, Gulfport ran the table in their 2020 season to claim the state championship after beating Clinton in the finals 3-0.

The Lady Admirals kicked off their new campaign Tuesday with a shutout victory over Oak Grove, 4-0.

Smith, who was named the 2020 player of the year for the state of Mississippi by the United Coaches Association, as well as earning All-America Honors following her performance last season, picked up where she left off with a hat trick against the Warriors.

Here’s what Pryor had to say about the mentality of his team going into this season. “I really try to take the same mindset that we’ve taken in years past, that nothing has changed. Don’t get me wrong, it was a really phenomenal year last year. The girls worked hard, really took care of business. It really was a kind of a family atmosphere type of culture that I’ve been trying to push and make sure I instill in the program since I’ve been there. But this year is a brand new year. We haven’t earned anything. We’ve got to work for everything that we get. And first and foremost is making sure we prepare ourselves for district play.”

The 1-0 Lady Admirals take the field again Thursday at home against Our Lady Academy at Gulfport High School’s track field at 7 p.m.

Plenty of soccer happening on the Coast this Thursday in addition to the Lady Admirals – Our Lady Academy match.

• Yellow Jackets host the Hawks in an early game.
• Harrison Central making the trip to St. Patrick.
• West Harrison at Biloxi for a later game.
• Poplarville visiting Pass Christian.
• Oak Grove hosting Vancleave is another late game, while Columbia at Resurrection Catholic is an early game at 4 pm.

Boys soccer has several games happening Thursday as well.

• Resurrection’s boys’ team will host Columbia in the later match up at 6 p-m.
• Picayune travels to Forrest County Agricultural.
• Pirates host the Hornets for a night match up following the girls game.
• Hancock at St. Martin will also be played following the girls match up.
• Lastly, St. Patrick hosts Harrison Central and Gulfport visits St. Stanislaus, both at 7 pm.