EUNICE, La. – Despite controlling possession for the majority of the second half and into overtime, LSU Eunice could not convert a goal and drew with Jacksonville College to open the regular season on Friday at Bengal Soccer Complex.
 
No. 13 LSUE outshot the Jaguars 11-6 on shots on frame.
 
The two sides played to a stalemate in the first half, with the best chance to score coming just before intermission.  Samaris Alvarado (Houston, TX, Klein Forest HS) sent a low dribbling cross inside the box that could not connect with teammate.  The corner kick just before the halftime horn saw a few close range shots get blocked away from Jaguar defenders.
 
The Bengals' backline frustrated Jacksonville all afternoon, with the Jaguars settling for long shots that were scooped up by Shannon Hellina (Hertfordshire, England, Chancellors Secondary School).  The LSUE newcomer split time in net with sophomore Ariana Alejo (Elgin, TX, Elgin HS).
 
The frontline of Breon Grant (London, England, King Henry), Jacie Crochet (Lafayette, LA, Lafayette HS) and Alvarado would break free several times during the second half into the offensive third but could not produce a dangerous scoring opportunity, forcing the game to overtime.
 
The Bengals had several chances in the final five minutes of the second overtime that fell just short of hitting net.  After LSUE could not convert on a few flicks inside the box to Breon Grant, the best chance of the game came with 2:30 to play. 
 
Off a free kick, the ball landed to Vanessa Perez-Saucedo (Portland, Oregon, Franklin HS) near the top of the box who found a cutting Jacie Crochet on the near side wing.  Crochet's shot sailed off the crossbar and ricocheted right to Tilly Deacon (London, England, Barking Abbey School) who's putback attempt was just short of the open net.
 
LSUE will be back in action on Tuesday as it hosts top-ranked Tyler JC at 5:00PM.