By REED DESALVO

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School has leaned on its defense all season long.

Tuesday night was no exception.

ACCS smothered the Cathedral High School the entire game and received the necessary offensive output at just the right times to earn a 3-0 win over its cross-city rival.

“Our backline played as good of lockdown defense (all year),” ACCS coach Jim Bob Allgood said. “We had good trapping and passing.”

ACCS (14-2) got the scoring started just nine minutes in after Carlos Woods knocked in a rebound shot.

Forward Cristofer Thompson then gave his squad a 2-0 advantage with a strike just before halftime.

“We did the correct things we needed to do to get the ball into the back of the net,” Allgood said. “Truly having a lockdown defense created a lot of balls (into the box).”

Cathedral (6-10) struggled to sustain any offensive attack, particularly in the first half as ACCS dominated possession.

“We got outhustled,” Cathedral coach Dennis Hogue said. “I’m proud of everybody on the team; they played hard, but they played emotional. It was senior night, and I think that sank in at halftime. I think they were trying too hard to make it happen, instead of just relaxing and playing together.”

The two squads then went back-and-forth in the second half with neither team managing to break through in the early stages.

“I think we had a lot of individual play that was spectacular,” Hogue said. “But there was a lot of team play that was sloppy.”

The Rebels finally managed to record their third score in the 55th minute after Thompson knocked in his second score of the game.

“He has matured so much on the soccer field this year,” Allgood said of his standout forward. “He was already a dynamic player, but this team had to learn to work in conjunction with his skill.”

Cathedral will attempt to reverse its fortune Thursday in the team’s regular-season finale at Porter’s Chapel.

“They’ll be much more relaxed, because there will be no pressure,” Hogue said. “It’ll be a fun match for them.”

Green Wave goalie Nic Webb record nine saves, while Alex McCready recorded five stops for the Rebels.

ACCS, meanwhile, will travel Monday to Central Hinds in the opening round of MAIS playoffs.

“I see improvements every time this team steps on the field,” Allgood said. “I’m very proud of my team. Cathedral has a fantastic program. This was a good soccer match (Tuesday).”