2016 Combined

Prep notebook: Ocean Springs boys face rematch in soccer state finals I gulflive.com

2JSl2016

"He is a dominating player," said Ocean Springs coach Jeff French of Gallagher. "He's not the fastest guy on the field, but he is clever with movement." Noting that it was only his second year in the position. French said he expects Gallagher to continue to develop. With only the state championship game remaining. Gallagher has 20 goal and ten assists.

"He's relatively new as a forward," said French. "I think he is going to continue to evolve at the position and be a force at the college level."

French also carries similar expectations of Irwin.

"He's somebody you are glad you have in the back," said French. "He is disciplined. strong, fearless and a leader. which you need with your senior back."

In the 6A South State championship game, Irwin scored the first goal of the contest against Brandon. Over the course of the season, Irwin helped anchor a defense that posted ten shutouts this season.

The OSHS boys are the lone prep soccer team standing as championship weekend approaches, as the Gautier boys fell to Stone County 1-0 in the Class SA South State championship game Thursday night in Wiggins.

The Tomcats will face Germantown Saturday for the Class SA state title.

More signings

Three members of the Ocean Springs girls soccer squad will continue their careers at Pearl River Community College.

Ocean Springs goalkeeper. Karsen Gildea, will head to Poplarville to continue a career that saw her post 46 shutouts in 87 career games. During the course of her career. she allowed less than one goal against per contest.

Mary Rieger and Rylee Foster will join Gildea in Poplarville.

"I'm very excited for all three girls," said Ocean Springs coach Pat Hayes. "I think all three girls have a chance to make a direct impact on Pearl River Community College's season next year. All three have a proven leadership and bring a winning pedigree with them." As a senior, Reiger picked up six goals. including a game winner on 14 shots. Both Reiger and Foster contributed to one of the top defenses in 6A soccer. The players represent a senior class that saw Ocean Springs advances to two 6A state championship games, including winning the 2013 championship over Tupelo. In 2016. the Greyhounds advanced to the south state championship, falling on the road at Brandon.

Also, Two members of the Ocean Springs softball squad know that their playing careers will continue beyond high school as they have signed to play at the junior college level.

Tori Gum signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and Madison York will play at East Central Community College.

Gum. who started playing for Ocean Springs in the eighth grade. picked up the team's defensive award in 201S.

York. a transfer to Ocean Springs. has yet to pitch for the Greyhounds. but O'Brien believes she will be an asset in the 2016 season.

Also at Ocean Springs, signing lacrosse scholarships were Landon Twiggs (Jacksonville) and Dylan Langdale (Huntingdon). Allen Wilkerson also signed to bowl at Spring Hill College.

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