A trimmed down Warren Central Girls Soccer Tournament kicks off today with a smaller field of six teams but still plenty of potential.

That’s because 2005 Class 5A champion Madison Central, along with rising power Northwest Rankin are in. Warren County teams Vicksburg and Warren Central were both ranked in the Top 10 in last week’s state soccer poll, while a solid Neville High School of Monroe, La., and Class 1A-2A-3A champion St. Andrew’s round out the field.

&#8220I know we’re playing three quality teams over two days in Northwest Rankin, St. Andrew’s and Madison Central,” VHS coach Kevin Manton said. &#8220We’ve tied St. Andrew’s, lost to Madison Central (4-1) and Northwest was second in the tournament last week in Ridgeland.”

Vicksburg (9-3-1), ranked ninth last week, will open tourney play against St. Andrew’s tonight at 7 at Viking Stadium. All 10 games in the bracket tournament, including Saturday evening’s championship match, will be played at Warren Central’s Viking Stadium.

&#8220This tournament used to have eight teams and we’d play at both places, but when (Madison) St. Joe dropped out, we’re down to six and Lum (Wright) decided to play it all at WC,” Manton said.

Warren Central (7-4-1) opens play this afternoon at 4 against Northwest Rankin. The Lady Vikes play Division 3-5A rival Madison Central at 9 a.m. on Saturday and then close out with a 1:30 p.m. game against St. Andrew’s.

&#8220Madison is still pretty good,” Manton said. &#8220Six of their girls were on the Jackson Select team, but they’re not as good as last year when all 11 starters were on it.

&#8220We scored a goal on them and that will help us down the road in the division,” he said.

The Missy Gators have played well of late going 2-1-1 in their last four games. They lost to a solid Tupelo team 4-0 last Saturday but came back to beat Warren Central 3-1 on Monday at Memorial Stadium.

&#8220We were missing four starters against Tupelo and for the longest time that game was at 1-0,” he said. &#8220With all my starters, we can play with them here.”

The Missy Gators play Madison Central at noon on Saturday and then follow up with a 3 p.m. game with Northwest Rankin.

Warren Central senior Mary Clare Scurria says the Lady Vikes have fared well against some of the tougher teams on their schedule this season.

&#8220We’ve been playing pretty good. We’ve faced Brandon and Northwest Rankin and could have beaten both of them,” Scurria said.