Michelle St. Louis

Late Goal Ruins LC's Night

10/6/2017 6:56:00 AM

By: LC Sports Information - Todd Rylas

Box Score

Thursday night the Louisiana College men's soccer team faced the McMurry Univ. War Hawks in Abilene, Texas in an American Southwestern Conference show down. The game appeared to be heading into overtime but an 89^th minute McMurry goal broke the Cat's heart.

The start of the game was back in forth but a heavy and present McMurry attack tested the LC defense. Stepping up to the War Hawk's effort, the defense bent but did not break allowing shots but determined play by Nathan Gautreaux kept the game close.

The Cats did not manage to take a shot in the first but stints of possession made the game dangerous at times. The War Hawks relied heavily on long balls from their keeper and wide attacks with forward outside backs.

For the most part the game was relaxed; both defenses moved the ball between the back lines waiting for a hole to open for an attack. When the War Hawks did attack they did so with numbers. Clumping together around the ball working one-two passes getting around LC defenses. When in front of goal the Cats stepped to the ball and closed down shooting lanes, forcing the point of attack elsewhere.

When they did get a shot off, Gautreaux was ready, diving and jumping to save the game and shot, coming up big when the Cats needed him with three saves in the first and six in the game.

Going into the half tied at zero, the second half would be faster paced with both sides trying to get the game-winning goal.

The War Hawks wanted the lead more than the Cats, taking a shot whenever in front of goal. Continuing their pace with 13 in the second, one more than the first. On the other hand, the Cats did not take full advantage when they were on the attack. Shooting more than the first with three, but only one shot on frame, the game was all on the defense.

The War Hawks gave up many fouls around mid-field giving the Cats plenty of chances off free kicks but a compact defense prevented the Cats from utilizing their mistakes.

McMurry would counter attack well, sending all but the center backs forward. Spreading the field wide with their outside backs, the ball was constantly played wide trying to cross the ball into the box.

In the dying minutes of the game, McMurry would turn up their attack even more. Defending with just the back four at times, the War Hawks were able to push the ball forward off defended throw-ins. Sinking numbers behind the ball, LC was able to clear those threats but in the 89^th minute a McMurry counter would be too much for the stout defense.

A McMurry throw-in from the right side of LC allowed the ball to be played into the box and with just enough space in front of him, Rafael Lara took a shot. The shot was just inside the 18 and perfectly placed in the upper 90 of the far post, Gautreaux's outreached hand could not stop it.

The late minute shot crushed the Cats; they would not be able to muster a response and fall 1-0 after 90 minutes.

The Cats fall to 1-8 on the season and 1-5 in conference. With Friday off, the Cats stay in Abilene to face the Hardin Simmons Cowboys in ASC play on Saturday at 3:30. For more on the LC Men's Soccer Team following them on Facebook under Louisiana College Men's Soccer, Instagram and twitter at LC_MSOC.

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