River women pick up first loss via Tyler

RAYMOND Pearl River Lady Wildcats picked up their first loss of the 2011 season here Friday at Hinds Community College, falling 4-1 to Tyler (Tex.) which wrapped the 2010 season with a repeat of a No. 1 ranking in the NJCAA Division I women soccer poll.The Lady Apache squad, which improved to 5-0 with the win, was runner-up in last year national tournament after winning the annual event in 2009. Pearl River, on the other hand, dropped to 6-1 overall.This game wasnt scheduled until the middle of the week when Hinds asked us to come up there and play Tyler, PRCC coach Jack Byrd said. Apparently the Hinds women are beat up with injuries and opted not to play them, even though their men team did.It was an opportunity to play what is considered by most as the premier program in the country. And they showed us just how good they are.The Lady Apaches jumped out to a 4-1 lead at the half off two goals by Jahmela Williams, Stacie Murray, and an own goal; while the Lady Wildcats scored their only goal of the game at the 12:00 mark by Millie Barr of Oak Grove High.Tyler wrapped the scoring in the second half off April Syme goal.Pearl River returns to action Saturday with an MACJC non-division road trip to Itawamba CC in Fulton with game times at 2 p.m. (women) and 4 p.m. (men), then South Division rival Southwest Miss. visits Wildcat Stadium Wednesday for games at 5 p.m. (women) and 7 p.m. (men).