EUNICE, La. – In a season of many first, another this Friday for LSU Eunice men's soccer. The Bengals will host a home playoff game during their inaugural season as Northeast Texas CC heads to Moore Park for a NJCAA South District Playoff game. Kick-off from the Lafayette area is set for 7:00PM.
Another first possibly awaits the Bengals (8-2-3) with a favorable result: a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament.
"This season we've enjoyed a lot of firsts in our inaugural season and you don't typically get an opportunity like this out of the gate," LSU Eunice men's soccer head coach Josh McReynolds said. "We're hoping for a very special atmosphere that regardless of result, will give our team something they'll remember for the rest of their lives."
LSU Eunice captured the Region 23 championship last week after a semifinal 3-2 victory over Southwest Mississippi and a penalty kick thriller against Jones College. Northeast Texas CC (15-2-2) advanced to the South District playoffs after defeating Laredo College, 2-1, in the Region 14 semifinals.
Devin Pathoumthong (Madisonville, LA, Mandeville HS) and
Adrian Franco (Houston, TX, Andy Dekaney HS (TX)) paced the Bengals offense with a pair of goals over the weekend.
The Bengals and Eagles are no strangers to each other, having played to a 3-3 draw on September 18 in Mount Pleasant, Texas.
Nicolai Small (Harbour View, Jamaica, Camperdown HS) and Franco's second half goals helped LSUE erase a two goal deficit but could not overtake the Eagles in overtime.
"Northeast Texas has great speed on the outside and play a physical brand of soccer," McReynolds noted. "The major focus for us is being sound defensively early and try make the most of our offensive opportunities when they come."
NTCC eyes its first National Tournament appearance since 2014. The Eagles are currently ranked 10th in the latest NJCAA polls and have a pair of wins over ranked teams, including an October 12 victory over then-top ranked Tyler JC.
The Eagles are led freshman forward Ronaldo Brown and his school record 19 goals. Jeremy Coste figures to serve in net after starting 13 games this season with a 1.41 goals against average.
The winner will receive one of two South District bids to the NJCAA Men's National Tournament set for November 12-17 in Daytona, Fla. on the campus of Daytona State College. Tyler Junior College and Jones College will play on Saturday for the other South District berth.
A free live stream will be available for the game on the team's Facebook page (@LSUEMensSoccer).
Fans can find more LSUE news and information on social media via Twitter (@LSUEBengalsMSOC), Facebook and Instagram (@LSUEBengals) or by logging onto www.lsuebengals.net.
