U10 Academy finishes second

At the Spring Classic in Tupelo, the IFC 2010 Academy boys finished strong before soccer play was suspended last month for all teams by the Starkville Soccer Association due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

IFC 2010 Red opened with a 7-2 thrashing of TFC Amory 09 boys, before capturing an evening contest with an older Tennessee Lobos Rush 09 boys team 7-3. Sunday morning IFC 2010 fell to Meridian Alliance FC 09B 3-1, before rebounding with a 3-1 victory over Tupelo FC 09 Boys 3-1, finishing 3-1 for the weekend against the older travel teams.

Coach Dylan Mims acknowledged that the boys played really hard and that he expected them to know much moving forward after playing well against older boys.

“We talk often about the importance of developing and not worrying about results so much,” Mims said. “Everyone wants to win – that is what drives an athlete, but we spend a lot of time getting better technically, as to prepare the kids to move up in the club.”

Only playing together since Christmas, the team captured second in both tournaments it played in until soccer was suspended in Starkville and across the state.

SSA and IFC Club president Doug Heflin said that Mississippi Soccer Association shut down all soccer in the state at least until April 18 due to the pandemic, but with player safety in mind the SSA Executive Council has already voted to cancel the remainder of the spring for Rec Academy and Top Soccer Programs. There is also a question about whether IFC teams will be able to return to the pitch in May.

League officials expressed thanks to platinum sponsors Callaway Orthodontics and Starkville Radiology, along with tournament, club and team level sponsors that make possible the hosting of tournaments and high level of play in Starkville. Registrar Tina Green said registration for fall soccer will be announced at www.starkvillesoccer. com the club's website.