The Gulfport girls soccer team won a state championship for a second time

Gulfport scored two early goals on its way to a 3-1 victory over Clinton for the MHSAA Class 6A state championship Saturday.

“The key was that Gulfport was being able to start fast. We were able to finish some early goals,” Gulfport coach Chris Pryor said. “Clinton had a lot of supporters here (Ridgeland High School). But in the end our fitness and ability to move the ball played in our favor.”

Freshman Mary Frances Symmes scored the first goal 13 minutes into the game with a shot into the upper left corner of the goal from 20 yards out.

“I felt I needed to shoot it so I shot it and it went in,” Symmes said.

Mallory Streetmman made it 2-0 two and a half minutes later, scoring into an open met on a rebound after Clinton goalie Sarah Polk made a diving stop on a breakaway shot by Abigail Badurak.

Kate Smith increased the Gulfport lead to 3-0 on a long range blast with 14 minutes left. She nearly had a goal just before Symmes scored on a breakaway, but Polk came out to make a sliding save.

“That was amazing by her,” Smith said.

Polk, an eighth grader, made 13 saves for the Lady Arrows.

Kaci Craft scored for Clinton with 7:20 left. It was the only goal Gulfport allowed in four playoff games.

Pryor did not mind seeing the scoreless streak come to an end.

“Sometime you’re going to give up goals to a great team. As long as we score more goals I’ll take it,” he said.

Gulfport finishes unbeaten at 21-0-4. It was the Lady Admirals’ second state title after they won their first in 2008.

Clinton, the North State champion, finished 17-3-2.

This story was originally published February 8, 2020 at 9:50 PM.