Box Score EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice showed total control in a 5-1 season opening win against Louisiana College on Thursday at the Bengal Soccer Complex. It was the first regular season game for the Bengals (1-0) at the new on-campus facility.
"The girls were glad to open up this beautiful pitch in style," LSU Eunice women's head coach Ian McGimsey said. "They have worked extremely hard in the preseason and this is a solid foundation to a team I think the Eunice community will be very proud of."
Katelyn Knowles (Lufkin, TX, Lufkin HS) made quick work for the Bengals with a fifth minute tally with a beautiful volley off a
Sherice Clarke (Kingston, Jamaica, Wolmer's HS) assist. The Wildcats answered shortly after with a long volley to tie 1-1, but the Bengals would clamp down on the defensive end from there.
Clarke made her presence felt in the season opener. The sophomore midfielder delivered the assist on LSUE's opening goal, induced a foul that led to the Bengals' go-ahead tally and would help put the game out of reach with her first goal of the season in the 48th minute off a loose-ball scrum in front of the goal.
"I think what you're seeing with the sophomores like Sherice is just that year of experience," McGimsey added. "She's a talented player for us who has taken both her leadership and play to another level."
The Bengals added two late goals as
Jazmin Torres (Conroe, TX, Conroe HS) notched her second goal of the game in the 83rd with an impressive dodging of the Wildcats' backline, followed by
Katy Watt's (Edinburgh, Scotland, Firrhill HS) wide open closer in the 87th. Torres scored in the 29th minute with a high arching free kick just outside the corner of the 18-yard box.
After giving up the early goal,
Mariah Scott (San Antonio, TX, Legacy of Educational Excellence HS) handled a subdued Louisiana College attack, scooping up a pair of saves.
LSUE will be back in action as it hits the road the face Mississippi Gulf Coast on Saturday. Game time from Perkinston is set for 5:00PM.
