Wildcats Blank Blazers for ASC Win

9/17/2017 12:32:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Todd Ryals

Box Score

Saturday afternoon the Louisiana College Men's Soccer team would square off against the Belhaven University Blazers for the start of American Southwestern Conference play. The match-up would be one to remember for the Cats as a pair of goals would break a 26 game winless streak dating back to October 3, 2015.

The Cats would get off to a slow start as the winless Brazers were poised to receive their first win on the season. A corner kick in the second minute would be non-threatening as Mateus Holanda's header sailed high but the Blazers were there to play. The Blazers would return in the eighth, Holanda would this time bring his shot beneath the crossbar and bring senior Nathan Gautreaux into the game, catching his shot.

On the other end, the Wildcats were also poised to add a win to their season, as sophomore Phay San would fancy a shot outside the box, intervening San's effort Blazer keeper Bailey Hart would deny the attempt.

Belhaven would materialize attacks sending long balls wide and ask for crosses but wide shots from Alex Hale and Kobe van Someren would bend the LC defense but not break them.

Following a goal kick, the Wildcats would mount their own response behind freshman Ian Carter. Carter made himself available for a Wildcat mid-fielder to find him allowing a clean strike on frame only to be stopped by Hart. Hart's deflection would give the Cats another attempt with a corner, this time the Blazer defense would clear the ball out of their half. The clearance gave Belhaven an advantage for a counter and Somto Ngwudike an opportunity at goal. Making himself big Gautreaux was able to push Ngwudike's shot wide away from goal.

Sloppy tackling from the Wildcats gave Belhaven a free-kick 28 yards from goal. Hale stepped up to the ball, adjusting it to his liking, approaching the ball after the whistle and blasting the right footed shot over the bar relieving pressure on the LC defense.

The heat of the game and weather would bring multiple mass substitutions to keep fresh legs on the pitch and the game moving at a high pace.

One of the LC subs, freshman Jay Pinto, would get past the last Blazer defender and go one vs. one against Hart, beating Hart and began to celebrate only to have his goal called back after an offside decision. Frustrated at the decision, Pinto voiced his thoughts to the center official, showing Pinto a yellow card. Even though the goal was not allowed the Wildcats were eager to break the deadlock.

Ten minutes past and two wide Belhaven shots later, the Wildcats were in position to attack. With numbers pushed forward the Cats were able to handle the Blazer backline, Pinto worked into a shooting position and let one go. His shot hit the leg of a defender, throwing off Hart, taking him out of the play, allowing a score. Pinto's celebrations would count this time and like a rocket the LC players took off toward Pinto hugging and cheering then making their way to the Cat bench joining the other players.

The half was not over just yet, former Wildcat Micah Taylor was set on sobering the Cats with a header in the 43rd minute. The headed shot was no threat to Gautreaux, grabbing the ball out of the air securing the LC lead into half.

The Blazers started with the ball in the second half and their intentions were clear, send a ball into the corner for a cross and do that what they did. The first minute was an all out attack to level the score and quiet the LC support. The defense was ready, calling out runners and stepping in front of a promising attack.

Belhaven's forward, Ngwudike returned to the pitch in the 60th minute and was dead set on scoring, five minutes into his second stent he teed his right foot for a distant shot, Gautreaux prevented the tie and caught the shot. After an LC dispossession from the goal kick Belhaven's John Dunbar found space on the left side of LC's defense and put his foot through the ball making Gautreaux work for his clean sheet in the 66th minute.

The LC defense would be tested heavily in the following minutes with two consecutive Blazer corners in the 69th minute. The first corner was dealt with but cleared behind the goal allowing a second, which gave Jack Cutler an opportunity to level the score but his shot was not good enough against Gautreaux.

The Blazers did not take their foot off the throttle, creating corner after corner keeping the LC defense on their heels and under pressure. Nothing would come from them, but the huge control of possession would keep the LC backline scouring to hold their lead. Outlasting every attack with stout defending and a solid performance by Gautreaux the Cats flipped the field and went on the offensive.

An organized Blazer backline caused four offsides stopping the LC counter and from adding to their lead. Hugging the backline closer, freshman Trevon Micheal was finally able to remain onside and stretch the field getting behind the defense. Pushing on the left flank of Belhaven, Micheal was able to place his cross perfectly for fellow freshmen Carter to seal the deal and secure the Wildcat win with his leg footed volley in the 87th minute.

The final whistle blew and the 26 game winless streak was lifted and most importantly the Cats were 1-0 in conference play.

The Cats have a short week playing next Thursday at the Yellow Jackets of Howard Payne University in Brownwood TX, and then traveling to Richardson TX, to face the University of Texas at Dallas Comets. Both will be ASC games and kickoff at 4:30 P.M. 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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