ELLISVILLE – Pearl River was the last team to beat Jones back on Aug. 26 and did it again Saturday in the Region 23/Gulf South District Championship, 3-1, to claim the league's automatic bid to the national tournament.

PRCC, 13-4-4, claimed its third region/district championship in the last four years. Jones fell to 11-3-3 and will have to await Tuesday's selection show on the NJCAA Network to see if they receive an at-large invitation.

Jones had several scoring chances in the opening half, out-shooting the Wildcats 8-2, but could not convert. 

The Wildcats scored all three of their goals in the second half, the first breaking a stalemate in the 52nd minute.

Mark Peaden III headed in a Sebastian Kristensen free kick from just outside the box to make it 1-0.

Tiago Honoroio Jr. made it 2-0 PRCC in the 78th minute, and two minutes later, it was Patton Francis who took a rebound off the cross bar and headed it in for a 3-0 lead.

Parker Sellers broke the shutout in the 86th minute with his fourth goal in seven matches.

Jones owned an 18-7 shot advantage. Three of PRCC's four shots on goal found the back of the net.

The teams combined for 31 fouls, nine yellow cards and a red card.