Mississippi Blues women finish as GCPL runners-up
By Datti Jinkiri
The city of Clinton continues to be a hotbed of soccer in the metro area. The Clinton-based Mississippi Blues women’s soccer team recently completed a successful season. Consisting of local high school players, college players and college graduates, the team finished with a 5-1-2 record in the Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL) regular season. The Blues then topped number-two seed Hattiesburg FC 3-1 in the GCPL semifinals before falling to top-seeded Cajun Rush 5-1 in the GCPL Cup Final. Despite losing in the final, coach Elliot Rimmer was happy about the team’s performance this summer.
“The Blues had a great year this year,” he stated. “It’s always fun to train and spend time with girls playing at such a high level, and this year was no different.”
The Blues were coached by Rimmer, Mallory Coleman and Stephen Otto this season. The staff was full of experience, as Rimmer coaches the Clinton High School girls’ soccer team; Coleman is the technical director of Clinton’s Brilla Juniors; and Otto coaches the Hinds Community College women’s soccer team. Creating a competitive, but fun, atmosphere was key for the staff, according to Rimmer.
“I think creating an environment that is fun to be a part of is massively important in summer soccer,” he stated.
“Most of the players are coming from high pressure environments in college or club soccer, so creating an environment that allows them to relax a bit and let their natural competitiveness take over is important to us.”
The Blues had an extremely potent attack this summer, as they led the GCPL with 33 goals scored. Forward Cariel Ellis, who plays college soccer at the University of Tennessee, won the league’s golden boot with thirteen goals in eight games.
The team also had contributions from both Clinton High School and Mississippi College players, as well. Recent CHS graduates Tailynn Remmel (Holmes CC signee), Hollyn Oswalt (Hinds CC signee) and Addison Pletzke (Itawamba CC signee) used the GCPL season to prepare for their college seasons. Upcoming juniors McKenzie Price and Cooper Holmes also saw playing time with the team.
Additionally, Mississippi College rising juniors Olivia Gelpi and Marion Scott featured for the Blues. Former Mississippi College standout Sam Carson, who started 65 games for the Lady Choctaws, also contributed.
The Blues will now look to take the next step and win the GCPL next summer.
