Box Score
The Louisiana College men's and women's soccer teams played two tough, back and forth, matches on Thursday night against Howard Payne. Both matches featured great opportunities for the Wildcats to get on the board but they just fell short, as the women were defeated 3-1 and the men lost a physical 2-0 game to the Yellow Jackets. The teams will play their final home games of the season on tomorrow for the women and Saturday for the men against UT Dallas.
In the women's game to start the evening the Wildcat defense started strong before allowing a 23rd minute goal that gave the Yellow Jackets the lead. HPU would mount a few more attacks in the first half but were kept off the scoreboard, and LC earned two corner kicks in the middle of the half but were unable to make the most of the opportunities.
Early in the second half the Wildcats would find an equalizer when Lauren Bercegeay stroked a ball from the right wing from more than 30-yards out that blew past the keeper into the back of the net, for her first goal of the season. Unfortunately for the Wildcats the game wouldn't stay tied for long as Howard Payne regained the lead just four minutes later. It was a lead they would not give up as they added a third and final score in the 65th minute to secure the 3-1 victory.
Bercegeay picked up her first goal of the season with two shots in the game, both on goal, and
McKenna Raines made 10 total saves against the Yellow Jacket attack. The Lady Wildcats will close out the 2016 season Friday night at 6pm as they host UT Dallas in an ASC game. Prior to the match the team will honor and recognize seniors
Megan Mouton and
Chelsea Lee with a special ceremony.
In the men's game on Thursday, the Wildcats would have multiple chances to get on the scoreboard but the ball would not bounce their way as they fell by a score of 2-0. HPU scored in the 24th minute on a long through pass from the center back that found the feet of the forward on a break away that he was able to complete. The Wildcats would have two golden opportunities in the first half to tie the game but were unable to keep the headers on target.
The second half spelled more of the same for the Wildcats, as a chip over the HPU goalie went off to the right, and a penalty kick for the Wildcats was turned aside by the visiting goalie, keeping the Wildcats off the board. In a physical and defensive game that saw over 20 combined fouls and three yellow cards, Nathan Gautreaux was able to make five saves and Jacob Johnson had three shots, two of them on goal.
The Wildcats will close out their regular season on Saturday afternoon as they host UT Dallas in a 12pm kickoff.
