Box Score LAFAYETTE, La. – LSU Eunice saw its dream first season come up one game short of the National Tournament with a 3-1 loss to Northeast Texas CC. The South District playoff loss dropped the Bengals to 8-3-3 on the season.
"We are obviously disappointed with the result but won't let it ruin the pride we should have for what we accomplished," LSU Eunice men's head coach Josh McReynolds said. "Our team should be proud of the foundation they have laid for this program."
LSU Eunice was first to strike in the 22nd minute when a last ditch pass by
Axell Fuentes (Bridge City, LA, L.W. Higgins HS (LA)) connected with
Adrian Franco (Houston, TX, Andy Dekaney HS (TX)) who buried an open net goal. Fentes dribbled past a pair of NTCC defenders along the left end line, drawing the goalkeeper out before flicking to Franco for his team's best 13th goal of the season.
That highlight was just about all the offense LSUE could muster on the night. The Bengals were outshot 10-6, getting only three on target.
Northeast Texas tied it up a few minutes later as Ronaldo Brown took an inlet pass, turned past a defender and snuck a low shot in for the equalizer. Karim Diao would tally the would-be game winning goal just before half as the Eagles used a fast break opportunity to its advantage.
Juan Arias' 50th minute goal would seal the Bengals fate as NTCC advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament for the first time since 2014.
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