June 14, 2021
Three East Central Community College Lady Warriors earned Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference postseason accolades as Susie Stevison, a defender from Long Beach, Belle Miller, a midfielder from Lucedale, and Sasha Clare, a forward from Belfast, United Kingdom all earned First Team All-MACCC selections. The unique spring season, due to COVID-19, was a historic one for the Lady Warriors as the team picked numerous big wins, battled their way into the national poll for the first time in program history, and only suffered losses to top-10 teams. ECCC finished the year 11-3-2 overall, climbed all the way to No. 13 nationally, and advanced to the MACCC/NJCAA Region XXIII semifinals.
The Lady Warriors' honors came from all parts of the field with Stevison earning the nod from the defender position. The sophomore team captain started in 15 of ECCC's 16 matches and saw action in all of them. She posted two assists on the year and did not pick up any yellow cards from the field.
Miller got voters' attention from the midfield position with very strong situational awareness play. The freshman started in 14 matches, but played in every game for the Lady Warriors and posted six shots on goal while providing a strong defensive presence from the middle of the field.
Clare, ECCC's leading scorer, finished her freshman campaign with eight goals. Clare started in 12 matches and played in 15 after battling through an arm injury for the second half of the season. She posted 19 shots on goal on the year and three assists to go along with her team-high goal count. Her impressive play throughout the year landed her MACCC Player of the Week and United Soccer Coaches Player of the Week recognition (a national honor).
Though women's soccer was the last sport to play in the 2020-21 school year, East Central and the MACCC look to be back on track for normal athletic scheduling beginning next school year. That means the Lady Warriors are looking to return to the field in August for the 2021-22 season.
