Pearl Rivers Embarrass National Ranked Team

Emil Corfitzen (Copenhagen, Denmark) celebrates with teammates following his first goal of the season. (Melany Carrasco/PRCC Athletics).

POPLARVILLE, Miss. (THN News) — In a season-opening clash of national contenders, No. 8 Pearl River men's soccer delivered the first statement of the year, blanking No. 9 Johnson County 3-0.

"Johnson County is a really good team — there's a reason they're in the top-10," head coach Drew Gallant said. "It was exciting to host an opponent of that level. Teams of their talent are exactly what we'll see the rest of the non-conference schedule, so it was good to get some experience under us."

It didn't take long at all for the Wildcats (1-0 overall) to break down the defense of Johnson County (0-2) as international striker Viktor Hammer (Fredensborg, Denmark) netted his first goal in the maroon and gold in the 16th minute. The freshman received a pass in a one-versus-two situation, drove between defenders before weaving back and forth to keep the Cavalier centerback off balance. He finally got into the box, faked a shot and promptly laced the ball into the bottom corner of the net, 1-0.

Johnson County had numerous opportunities throughout the first half to equalize against the Wildcats. In the 27th minute, JCCC skied a penalty kick. Four minutes later, Cameron Kent (Brandon) came up big for the first of many huge saves throughout the day, diving to his left to turn a shot away. The 34th saw him come crashing out from the near post before dropping to knock the ball out of play.

"Our team works together so well," Kent said. "I don't make any of those saves if they don't put me in the position to do it. We showed some personality on the field, and it was good to do it early."

Hammer came through once more for Pearl River after 38 minutes in the opening half. Tycho van Haaren (Doetinchem, Netherlands) sent a pass ahead and into the box. Before getting onto the ball, Hammer spun to make some space. He then put a left-footed strike into the ball and sent it past the Johnson County goalkeeper at the near post.

On the first goal, I saw a lot of space between the defenders and knew it had to be a goal," Hammer said. "The second goal — it was pure instinct. When I turned, I knew I had to smash it in."

Hammer's brace sent Pearl River into halftime with a commanding 2-0 lead.

When the second half rolled around, Pearl River raised the defensive intensity, giving very few opportunities to Johnson County down the stretch. Emil Corfitzen (Copenhagen, Denmark) gave Pearl River additional breathing room in the 52nd minute. He cut inside to lose a pair of defenders before bending a shot from the left side of the goal around the goalkeeper and into the net at the far post, 3-0. 

Pearl River had a few additional opportunities down the stretch, with Julian van Rijsdam (Badhoevedorp, Netherlands) having a shot deflected and Zach Howard (Ocean Springs) having one saved.

Kent managed to deny a few more Cavalier shots down the stretch to seal a clean sheet and a commanding 3-0 victory to open the season.

NEXT UP

The Wildcats return to the pitch Friday at Gulf Coast. Kickoff against the rival Bulldogs is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be livestreamed at MGCCCBulldogs.com/watch.