Vicksburg’s Holly Head (11) takes one off the head as Oak Grove’s Holly Milner charges during the Lady Warriors’ 2-1 win over the Missy Gators. (Jon GiffinThe Vicksburg Post)

[12/11/2004] Oak Grove coach Clay Smith has been waiting since 1996 to beat the Vicksburg Missy Gators.

And now the wait is over.

Shannon Little and Courtney Brinson each scored a first half goal into a gusty wind to lead the Lady Warriors to a 2-1 win over host VHS in the Vicksburg-Warren Central Invitational.

Oak Grove advanced to this morning’s semifinal against top-ranked Madison Central at 9:30. The Lady Jaguars defeated Brandon, 2-1, in a shootout.

“I was hoping we could get through the first half without giving up a goal,” said Smith, who lost to Vicksburg in the 1999 state championship game. “To get two goals against the wind, and then have the wind the second half, I had a feeling if we could play good defense and take them out of their game, we had a shot.

“… This has been a long time coming.”

Vicksburg, ranked No. 13 in the latest Clarion-Ledger soccer poll, managed only two shots in the first half and none in the second. The Missy Gators (5-5-1) have lost five straight games.

“We haven’t played well lately,” Vicksburg coach Kevin Manton said. “We stayed in there all night tonight and fought hard. We have to check our character and keep working.”

Holly Head scored Vicksburg’s lone goal off a direct kick with 2 1/2 minutes left in the first half to get the Missy Gators to within a goal.

But the hosts had few scoring opportunities in the second half. Most of it was played on the Missy Gators’ side of the field.

Oak Grove had seven corner kicks in the second half, none of which ended in a shot on goal.

“We have special runs for every one of those corners and they were right there,” Smith said. “We just didn’t get a good bounce or a good foot on the ball.”

Vicksburg will play in the consolation game this morning at 11 against Brandon.

WC 5, Hattiesburg 0

Warren Central (9-3-1) made quick work of an overmatched Hattiesburg team Friday night, and now has its sights set on a tournament championship.

Kari Lieberman scored two goals and had two assists and the Lady Vikes outshot Hattiesburg 20-3 in a shutout in the first round of the Vicksburg-Warren Central Invitational.

If the Lady Vikes defeat Meridian, an upset winner over Madison-St. Joe in a shootout Friday night, they will play in the 1 p.m. championship against either Oak Grove or Madison Central.

Liza Kate Chaney, Julie Waddle and Brooke Nevels each scored a goal, while Julie Spence and Kristine Fischenich each had an assist in the victory.