Led by Matthew Lofton’s hat trick against Natchez, and suddendeath goals by Kin Mullins and David Brown, the FC Bulldogs claimedthe District 7 Pre-Season Soccer tournament over the weekend at theBrookhaven Sports Complex.

FC (4-0), and off to their best start since 2004, used Lofton’squickness and strength to win the tournament. The 5-9, 170-poundsenior also helped led the Bulldogs to a 1-0 victory over NorthPike to open the tournament early Saturday morning.

“We’re playing good,” said FC head coach Brad Mullins, who is inhis first season as the Bulldogs head soccer coach. “We’ve stillgot a lot of things we need to improve on.”

Mullins’ son Kin scored the game winning goal in a shootout againstLoyd Star to give FC the victory and the tournamentchampionship.

Brown, the Bulldogs 5-10, 165-pound defensive stopper, also added agoal in the shootout.

Against Natchez, FC collected a 3-2 victory off Lofton’s 3-goal hattrick.

FC resumes play Thursday night at Brookhaven, beginning at 5:30with a girls contest. On Saturday, the Bulldogs will play Magee andLawrence County in girls/boys doubleheader at the complex.