ELLISVILLE – Jones College's 16-match home unbeaten streak came to a screeching halt Tuesday night as seventh-ranked Pearl River scored three unanswered second-half goals to knock off the No. 6 Bobcats 4-1 at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.
The loss was Jones' first of the season and its first at home since the 2024 campaign. Pearl River, meanwhile, continued its recent dominance in Ellisville, winning for the fifth consecutive time on the Bobcats' home pitch.
Jones dropped to 12-1-2 on the season, 6-1-1 MACCC, while the Wildcats remained unbeaten at 10-0-2, 8-0 MACCC.
Pearl River wasted little time making its presence felt, striking just 2:34 into the match when Viktor Hammer found the back of the net to give the visitors an early 1-0 advantage.
The Bobcats responded in the 28th minute on a brilliant individual effort from Mario Novaku. The midfielder buried a free kick from 30 yards out to pull Jones even at 1-1, bringing the home crowd to life.
The score remained deadlocked through halftime, but the Wildcats took control over the final 30 minutes.
Hammer struck again in the 61st minute, finishing a feed from Elias Idrissi to put Pearl River back in front 2-1.
Julian van Rijsdam then took over, scoring twice in an eight-minute span to put the match out of reach.
Van Rijsdam converted a pass from Oren Doxey in the 75th minute to stretch the lead to 3-1 before adding his second goal in the 83rd minute to provide the final margin.
Pearl River goalkeeper Oliver Everson finished with five saves, including three in the second half, to keep Jones from mounting a comeback. Logan Correro recorded one save for the Bobcats.
Jones will look to regroup Tuesday, Oct. 20, when it travels to Meridian for a 7 p.m. MACCC match up. The Bobcats return home Friday, Oct. 23, to host Itawamba at 7 p.m.
