ELLISVILLE, Miss. — The East Central Community College Lady Warriors fought hard against No. 9 Jones College on Friday but came up short in a 7-2 road loss at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.

The Lady Warriors (now 2-7-1 overall and 0-5 in MACCC play) showed strong fight early, responding twice in the opening half to keep the game competitive against one of the nation's top programs.

Jones jumped ahead 2-0 within the first five minutes, but East Central answered at the 18-minute mark on a free kick goal that cut the deficit in half. After another Jones score, ECCC's Raiyleigh Perry capitalized in the 30th minute off an assist from Isabella Rivino to make it 3-2. The Bobcats added a late first-half goal and never looked back, pulling away with three more in the second half.

Goalkeeper Jaci Willis turned in a valiant effort in net, tallying nine saves while facing 31 total shots from Jones. Despite the pressure, East Central continued to battle until the final whistle, maintaining composure and grit against an opponent ranked among the NJCAA's elite.

Jones' Sherline King led the home side with four goals, while Magdalena Polrolniczak added two goals and an assist.

The Lady Warriors will look to regroup and continue building momentum as they return home to Decatur. East Central is set to face another national powerhouse on Tuesday, October 7, when they host No. 1 Northwest Mississippi Community College at 6 p.m. at Bailey Stadium.