Gulfport (Miss.) is making a national claim

Gulfport’s girls team has been the leader of quality soccer in the state of Mississippi for the past four years. Not only are they a staple within the state, but they also are not afraid to go across state lines and play some of the best teams in the region. [caption id="attachment_37982" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-37982 size-thumbnail" style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/01/kate-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="29375" first="Kate" last="Smith"]</strong>[/caption]En route to a 17-0-1 start this season, Gulfport has wins over Gulf Breeze (Fla.) and St. Mary’s Dominican (La.). Dominican is the top-ranked team in Louisiana. Gulfport, the two-time defending state champs, has 81 wins and 6 loses over the past four seasons -- only one loss during the past three seasons. The Admirals are up to No. 17 in the current FAB 50 rankings and poised to move even higher. What has led to the Lady Admirals’ success? They have a star-studded cast of players all across the pitch. This year’s squad is led by Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year and Ole Miss signee [player_tooltip player_id="29375" first="Kate" last="Smith"]. Smith, a senior and ECNL Birmingham players, is a rare combination of humbleness and work ethic. These attributes have propelled her to lead her team in goals and assists. “She is a selfless player and makes those around her play to a higher level,” said Gulfport coach Chris Pryor. The talent does not stop with Smith. [caption id="attachment_37981" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-37981" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/01/abby-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>Abby Badurak</strong>[/caption] Juniors Abby Badurak and [player_tooltip player_id="33105" first="Laylah" last="Johnson"] are both Division 1 verbal commits to the University of Southern Mississippi. Badurak (ENCL Birmingham) is an intimidating force who has strength and pace. She has evolved into a player who is able to use her creativity to break down a defender to utilize her abilities in front of the goal. Johnson is a versatile defender who leads from the back. She can play center back or outside back by using her defensive prowess and her vision to start the attack out of the back. [player_tooltip player_id="23343" first="Mary" last="Frances Symmes"] (2023) (ECNL Birmingham) is another Division 1 verbal commit to NC State.  Symmes will be undoubtedly the fastest player on the pitch in most games. Her pace of play and fitness wear on opponents over the course of a contest. Gulfport will lean on these athletes in their quest to continue to dominate the Mississippi high school scene. Playoff soccer is only weeks away and teams such as Ocean Springs (14-1-2) and Northwest Rankin (14-1-2; #5 Southeast Winter rankings) look to knock the Lady Admirals from the top spot.