Millspas Take 4-1 Win over Wildcats

9/14/2017 8:06:00 AM

By: LC Sports Information - Todd Ryals

Box Score

Wednesday night, the Louisiana College men's soccer team would face the Majors of Milsaps and be tested with quick counterattacks and an organized mid-field. The Majors outlasted the Cats behind four goals working the ball wide and crossing in well placed back post efforts proving to be too much for the Wildcats.

The game was quick from the start as the Cats started their attack from the back relying on the mid-field to unlock the Major defense and supply the Cat attack. The mid-field was controlled by the Cats for the most part to start the game as the Majors played a relaxed front line allowing non-threatening passes. The Cat possession would eventually end and begin a Milsap counterattack, pushing numbers forward Gabriel Ryce would try his luck and a strike from distance hit the crossbar, rebounding the ball, Alex Bourland would send his effort wide. The Major attack was not over as they returned back into the Wildcat final third, Bourland would get his reward as an in-swinging cross from fellow Major Tore Schutt set up a right upper 90 shot in the 11th minute.

The Cats would respond with a push forward gaining a corner kick, taken by freshman Ian Carter, the Cats would leave empty handed but the effort showed they were still in the match. The following shots from both sides would not test the keepers sailing wide or high, as time passed the game opened up more as each side pushed numbers forward giving the counterattack more option.

The quick exchange forward caused rash defending by the Majors and a foul 30 yards from goal presented LC a dangerous opportunity. Freshman Felix Hultin stepped onto the ball, confusion from LC trying to set up the free-kick would waste the chance at goal, Hultin's shot was chipped into the box for a Wildcat to get on the end of but Milsap keeper Colton Townsell was quick off his line stopping any further shot and quickly punted down field to flip the field but a ready LC defense prevented any result.

Wildcat's coach Claudy St. Louis would sub to sway the game in his favor and the additional offensive would pay off. Freshman Leo Osawa had eyes for goal but his half volley would go high. Next possession Gabriel Ryce of Milsaps would be denied by senior keeper Nathan Gautreaux. The Wildcats would then go on the front foot and assault the Major keeper. A shot from Hultin would be the start, even though his went wide, the Cats were working hard. Reaping their steadfastness the Cats would be rewarded, Freshman Trevon Michael would find the back of the net with a well weighted ball from Osawa. Michael was able to work down the left side of the field and a neatly finished shot gave Townsell no chance to stop. Micheal took off soaring with arms fully stretched out running to the Wildcat bench joining his teammate celebrating the leveling score but also his first goal as a Wildcat and of the season.

The Wildcat celebrations would soon end as the Majors returned the favor with the game winning goal minutes later. Bourland would add to his tally in the 45th minute after Nathaniel Edwards' left footed cross put the ball on Bourland's head steering it past Gautreaux and the Wildcat defense. That attack would be the last passage of play in the first half, finishing with the Wildcats down 2-1.

The second half started roughly for the Cats as the Majors continued their attack were it left off. A quick corner was conceded, though it did not amount to anything the Cats looked shaky and the Majors took advantage of it. Minutes later they forced another corner, this time the Majors left with a goal. Edwards took the corner and a back post effort would see Brett Judd's header fly pass Gautreaux, giving Milsaps a 3-1 lead.

The game would open up as Wildcat freshman Gavin Albe teed one from 25 yards out, flying just wide of Townsell's goal. Two saves from Gautreaux prevented Tore Schutt and Bourland from adding to the scoresheet minutes later. An LC corner on the other end would give life to the Cats but Carter's header would sail just wide adding to the missed chances for the Wildcats. Stepping up again, Gautreaux's quick reactions would keep Schutt out of the goal in the 64th minute. Schutt would try again but in LC's favor the crossbar would also deny Schutt's efforts keeping the score within reach. The following 20 minutes would yield limited attempts on goal as the Cats and Major defense kept attackers at bay.

In the dying minutes of the game one more Major attack would be fruitful, in the 90th minute attacking heavily on the Cats right flank a number of Majors would over run the defense and finishing the attack with a near post blast, Luca Kistner put the nail in LC's coffin with a final fourth goal.

In the final seconds of the 90th minute, LC received a corner and with everyone forward freshman Soto Kubo's corner fell to senior Todd Ryals. Just as many Cats before him his effort was wide, sealing the victory for the Majors.

The Wildcats have two days to recover and prepare for conference play as the Belheaven Blazers travel to Wildcat Stadium Saturday for a 4:30 clash. 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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