WICHITA, Kansas – LSU Eunice Men's Soccer raced out to a quick goal in its NJCAA National Tournament opener, but it was not enough as the Bengals dropped a 2-1 decision to Casper College on Monday at the Stryker Sports Complex.  LSUE (13-3-1) now must win its game on Tuesday by two or more goals against overall number one seed Arizona Western to advance out of Pool A play.
 
LSU Eunice was on the scoreboard in the opening moments as the Bengals scored their lone goal of the day just 2:07 into the mid-morning contest.  Ryan Jeanfreau (New Orleans, LA, Holy Cross HS) bounced a loose ball into the box to Yvan-Noel Muenyi (Baton Rouge, LA, Baton Rouge Magnet HS) who put his left footed shot in the back of the net.
 
The Bengals would be able to hold on to the lead for nearly the entirety of the first half before Casper would equalize in the 38th minute with a low screamer outside of the box that ricocheted off the post and in for the goal.  The game winner would come in the 87th minute as LSUE had several good chances to take the lead in the second half that they could not convert.
 
The Thunderbirds outshot LSUE 12-10 including an 8-6 margin in shots on goal.  Casper had a decided advantage in fouls as the Bengals accumulated 17 fouls compared to six for Casper.
 
The Bengals and Arizona Western will face off at 10:00AM on Tuesday.