Meridian scored in overtime to defeat ninth-ranked Jones College 1-0 in the NJCAA Region 23 men’s soccer semifinals Wednesday at the PRCC Soccer Complex in Poplarville, Mississippi. The loss ended Jones’ postseason run.
Tanner Nichols scored the match’s only goal at 95:06, finishing a pass from Kelvin Campos. The goal came after 90 minutes without a score and sent Meridian, which entered with a 13-4-2 record, to the Region 23 championship match.
Jones (16-2-2) and Meridian each took 12 shots. Jones put four on goal to Meridian’s two, but Eagles goalkeeper William Dickerson saved all four attempts in a shutout. Jones goalkeeper Logan Correro had one save.
Jones held a 5-3 edge in shots during the first half, while Meridian generated more pressure after halftime, outshooting the Bobcats 8-7. Meridian also led 7-6 in corner kicks. The Bobcats will await consideration for an NJCAA at-large berth, according to the report.
