WICHITA, Kansas – LSU Eunice men's soccer went toe-to-toe with top-seeded Iowa Western, falling to the top-seed 1-0 in Pool Play of the NJCAA National Tournament at the Stryker Complex. The Bengals (10-5-1) went 0-2 in their first ever Nationals appearance, just three years into the program's existence.
LSU Eunice needed a win and at least two goals to advance out of Pool Play coming into the day.
The Bengals held off a steady wave from the Reivers in the first half, taking a scoreless game into intermission. LSUE was outshot in the first half 7-2 with Iowa Western holding an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks.
LSUE was the first to have a real scoring opportunity, as the Bengals produced a dangerous counter attack.
Quinn Farrell (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Habersham Central HS) received the ball in stride past the Iowa Western back line, rifling a laser that was just off the mark to the near side.
The Bengals defense would not give in with three stellar second half saves from
Vinicius Cadengue (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Instituto Federal de Brasilia). The sophomore totaled four saves on the day.
The Reivers would finally get on the board in the 67th minute as Cadengue charged a IWCC attacker, drawing contact in the penalty area and the referee assessing a penalty kick. Maruki Kawahara lofted the ball right in the middle of the net as Cadengue dove to the left.
LSUE nearly forced extra time as the Bengals were awarded a straight on free kick just outside the 18-yard box.
Fernando Fuentes (Gretna, LA, L.W. Higgins HS) curled it over the wall of defenders with the ball going through the goalkeeper's hands. The ball ricocheted off the crossbar, bounced nearly halfway past the goal line then rolled back into play.
Iowa Western joins Iowa Lakes, Salt Lake and Harcum in the knockout round scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
