Smith, Mizrachi named Bulldogs of the Week

Credit: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Athletics

 Kyla Smith and Guy Mizrachi have been named Bulldogs of the Week for Oct. 16-22.

Smith, a freshman forward from Hurley, had three goals and an assist to help Gulf Coast to two wins that clinched the first trip to the postseason since spring 2021. She scored twice in a 3-2 win over Itawamba, then added a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win at Hinds.

Mizrachi, a freshman midfielder from Haifa, Israel, assisted on all three goals for No. 16 Gulf Coast in a critical 3-2 win at Hinds. All three came on free kicks, and the win leaves the Bulldogs one win from clinching the conference title.

Also nominated: 

Will Burnham, a sophomore from Jackson, won the Bobcat Invitational by five shots for his fourth career victory. The USM commit led the No. 1 Bulldogs to a 33-shot win at the Laurel Country Club. He shot 4-under 68 on Tuesday to clinch it.

Leah Capiola, a freshman keeper from Wiggins, had six saves in a 3-2 win over No. 16 Itawamba.

Trey Hall, a freshman running back from Vicksburg, ran for 142 yards on 24 carries with two scores in No. 8 Gulf Coast’s 28-24 win at East Central. He also caught a pass while averaging just short of 6 yards per carry.

David Ruiz Ospina, a freshman from Manizales, Colombia, had a shutout and helped Gulf Coast move within one win of the MACCC title with a pair of victories. He made one save in a 1-0 shutout of Itawamba, his seventh of the season. He made one save in a 3-2 win at Hinds.

Keshawn Thomas, a freshman linebacker from Ocean Springs, had eight tackles at East Central. He also forced a fumble.

Gabriel Showalter, a sophomore from St. Martin, made all four extra points at East Central. He had two touchbacks on five kickoffs and two punts inside the 20 on six tries, including a critical punt before ECCC’s final drive that pinned them at the 5-yard line.