KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- The Mississippi College women's soccer team opened the National Christian College Athletic Association tournament with a 3-0 win over Trinity Lutheran on Monday morning at the Austin-Tindall Soccer Complex.

The Lady Choctaws (13-3-3), who are the #1 overall seed in the tournament, got the scoring going early when freshman Gaylynn Cooper scored her 6th goal of the season in the 11th minute, assisted by senior Meghan Dodge.

The score was all the MC defense needed, as they posted their 11th shutout of the season, allowing just seven shots with two coming on goal. Freshman Andrea McDonald and senior Robin Cooper combined to record the blanking in net, making two saves.

MC added an insurance goal in the 33rd minute when senior Sayit Mejia Bello scored her 6th goal of the season on an assist from freshman Samantha Carson, sending the match into the halftime break with MC ahead, 2-0.

Freshman Jess Davenport would add her 12th goal of the season in the 66th minute, getting an assist from Gaylynn Cooper.

The Lady Choctaws will move to the second stage of pool play, facing Central Christian College at 11:30 am (ET) on Tuesday. The Tigers (18-5) are the #5 seed in the tournament and are an independent institution from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

MC NCCAA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (POOL PLAY)
Monday, November 30 - #1 Mississippi College def. #8 Trinity Lutheran College, 3-0
Tuesday, December 1 - #1 Mississippi College vs. #5 Central Christian College - 11:30 am (ET)
Thursday, December 3 - #1 Mississippi College vs. #4 Trinity Christian College - 5:00 pm (ET)
Saturday, December 5 - NCCAA Divsion I Women's Soccer National Championship - 3:00 pm (ET)