EUNICE, La. – No. 5 LSU Eunice fought off a late surge from Hill College to secure a 3-2 victory on Saturday at the Bengals Soccer Complex.  LSUE (13-1) improved its current win streak to ten matches, dating back to September 10.
 
"I'm proud of how our guys fought for the full 90 minutes, even when things did not go our way in some spots," LSU Eunice men's soccer head coach Josh McReynolds said.  "The game had a playoff-level intensity that was good for our team to be in with the postseason just around the corner."
 
Albert Ibrahimi (Shipley, England, Shipley College) netted the game winner in the 88th minute after intercepting a bad Hill College clearance, weaving through a few defenders before going back post with a low left-footed shot.  It was the freshman's fourth goal of the season.
 
That goal helped LSUE bounce back after Hill College tied the game up after a pair of goals that were separated by just six minutes.  After the Rebels scored on a 55th minute penalty kick by Giancarlo Saldana, followed by a Maycol Reyes after a scrum for the ball in the 18-yard box.
 
LSUE was first to strike on a 32nd minute penalty kick by Noah Wagner (Corpus Christi, TX, Veterans Memorial HS), followed by a 48th minute tally from Angelo Fabricio (Jundiai, Brazil, St. Amant HS (LA)) on a Wagner assist.
 
The Rebels would again have a chance to tie just before the end of regulation but an open shot sailed high above the net to secure the Bengals' win.
 
Zaykeese Smith (Charlestown, St. Kitts & Nevis, Charlestown Secondary School) grabbed four saves on the day after Hill manged six shots on goal off 12 attempts.
 
LSUE closes out the regular season on Wednesday, October with a doubleheader at Blinn College.  The men's game is scheduled to begin at 7:00PM from Rankin Field in Brenham, Texas. 
 
The Bengals return home on Friday, November 1 for the Region 23 Championship game against the winner of the MACJC State Tournament.