EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice Men's Soccer will square off with top-ranked Tyler JC in the first round of the Region 14/23 Tournament on Thursday at Pat Hartley Field.  The Bengals (6-7-1) and TJC meet at 6:00PM to open the eight-team single elimination tournament.
 
The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic berth in the NJCAA National Tournament as the Gulf South District representative.  The tournament will be held in Daytona Beach, Florida on November 16-22.
 
LSU Eunice is led offensively by Arnold Cruz (Monroe, LA, Neville HS) and Roko Rujevcan (Killarney, Ireland, St. Brendan's College), both with three goals on the season.  William Panter (Northampton, England, Campion School) has seen the majority of action in goal for the LSUE, making 10 appearances with a .613 save percentage.
 
The Apache enters the postseason with a 13-0-1 record, taking the North Division with an 11-0 record.  TJC has a pair of 10 goal scorers in Knox Hicks and Elias Taj, while Marc Perkuhn is one of the top playmakers for the Apache, ranking fourth nationally in assists with 13.
 
Joe Pollard is Tyler's goalkeeper, sporting a .944 save percentage and 0.16 goals against average.  The Apache have recorded 11 shut outs, not allowing more than one goal in a game this season.
 
Tyler JC won the two team's matchup earlier this season 3-0, using a goal in the first six minutes of play and two late tallies for the victory.  This will be their fifth matchup all-time in the postseason.