The Columbia High School soccer program picked up its first two wins in its inaugural season Friday night at Moss Point.
The Lady Wildcats (1-6) beat Moss Point 4-0 in a great performance, while the Wildcats (1-3) knocked off the Tigers 2-1.
“It was nice to see the kids’ progress, getting them a win,” head coach Catie Lyles said. “That’s just made it now where they want to work harder because they know now they can win.”
Lyles said the Lady Wildcats can improve on passing and finishing, while the Wildcats are working on chemistry.
“It’s more teamwork as far as them trusting each other more to pass each other the ball,” she said. “And finishing, as well.”
Prior to picking up their first win, both squads lost at home to Lawrence County Nov. 27 at home. The Lady Wildcats lost 7-1, and the Wildcats fell 6-1.
Lyles said there are a lot of challenges in building an athletic program from scratch.
“It’s been a learning process for all of us,” she said. “Getting to learn all the kids and figure out their strengths, things they need to work on and all of their personalities, and them learning to just function with me and what type of coach I am and how the two of us can intertwine and start making things work.”
Columbia hosted Wayne County Tuesday night, but results were unavailable at press time, and will host Moss Point in a rematch Friday night. The Lady Wildcats will kick off at 5:30 and the boys squad will follow at 7.
Pictured Above: Columbia’s Freddy Mata fends off a Lawrence County defender Nov. 27 in a 7-1 loss as he dribbles the ball up the field. The Wildcats, however, responded in their next match to pick up their first win in program history against Mount Olive in a 2-1 decision Friday night. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
