Men's Soccer | 2/10/2025 5:49:00 PM

The Clinton High School Men's Soccer team had its season end with penalty kicks on Saturday afternoon in Clinton.

The Tupelo Golden Wave ousted the Arrows 4-2 on penalties after regulation and overtime periods could not decide a 2-2 draw at Arrow Field in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 7A Soccer Playoffs. The win advanced Tupelo to the MHSAA Class 7A North State Championship on Tuesday.

It was the third meeting between the two squads with two meetings occurring during the 2024-25 Division 2-7A slate. Clinton won both matches by a score of 4-1.

In the penalty-kick shootout, Tupelo was perfect from the spot, but Clinton missed their shots in the second and fourth round.

Wes Ambrose got the home team started in the fourth minute. Brayden Bridges' high-lofted ball caused havoc for the Tupelo defense when Justin Singleton applied pressure, causing a slip by the Golden Wave defender. Off the mistake, Ambrose was on the spot taking the loose ball in the 18-yard box and deftly dribbling past the goalie and slipping the ball into the back of the net.

It took only two minutes for Tupelo to answer the opening goal. The Golden Wave's free kick was misjudged by the Clinton defense and the ball found its way across the goal line.

The game remained tied into halftime at 1-1.

The Golden Wave grabbed the advantage in the 59th minute. Jesus Estrada parried a shot off a Tupelo free kick but a Golden Wave followed up the save, burying his shot attempt into the goal frame.

Searching for the equalizer with plenty of opportunities, Clinton found the tying goal with only six minutes left. A well-driven Kellan Brown corner kick found Owen Coker's head at the top of the 6-yard box. Coker redirected his header by the outstretched Tupelo keeper's hands. 

Clinton and Tupelo would play 30 minutes of additional time, including two golden-goal periods of five minutes, before the game entered into the penalty-kick shootout.

The Arrows finished the season with an 11-6-4 overall record and a 4-4 mark in Division 2-7A. The red and black overcame a 1-3 district record midway through the regular season to claim the second seed in the postseason.