RAYMOND – The No. 9 Jones College men's soccer team closed the regular season Tuesday, rolling past Hinds 5-0 at Tom Shepherd Field.
The five-goal victory marked the largest margin in the 30 meetings between the two programs. Jones also extended its unbeaten streak against the Eagles to 14 consecutive matches and improved to 7-0 on the road this season.
The Bobcats finished the regular season 15-1-2 overall and 9-1-1 in conference play. Jones outshot Hinds 19-1, putting 12 attempts on goal while holding the Eagles without a shot on target.
FIRST HALF
Jones controlled the opening half from the start, producing nine shots while preventing Hinds (3-11-1, 3-8) from recording an attempt.
The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Stanley Georgiou (Ampthill, England; Pro:Direct Hitchin) launched a ball up the pitch to Lyle Hardisty (Northallerton, England; Middlesbrough), who chipped the ball over the Hinds keeper for the opening goal and a 1-0 Bobcat advantage.
Jones continued to generate chances throughout the remainder of the half but carried the one-goal lead into the break.
SECOND HALF
The Bobcats turned the narrow advantage into a rout over the final 45 minutes.
Hardisty struck again in the 69th minute, after receiving a perfect cross from Dawson Dykes (Petal) to double the Jones lead.
He completed his hat-trick in the 84th minute, when Braedon Lindsay (Brandon) floated a cross to the back post and Hardisty headed the ball into the top corner.
Jones added two more goals in the closing minutes.
Louie Fitzpatrick (Wigan, England; St. Peter's) connected with Sam Rogers (Lucedale; George County) in the 87th minute for the Bobcats' fourth goal before Braden Buchanan (Madison; Madison Central) closed the scoring in the 89th with a sensational solo run to complete the 5-0 victory.
UP NEXT
The Bobcats begin postseason play on Friday, Oct. 30 at home against Co-Lin. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The match will be livestreamed at
jcbobcats.com/watch. Tickets are available online Tickets are $8 at
jcbobcats.com/tickets. Price increases to $10 cash/$11 card at the gate.
