The Louisiana College Wildcats faced the Cowboys of Hardin-Simmons Univ. Thursday night for an ASC clash. Two second-half HSU goals trump the Cats. 

The Cowboys started off fast, showing urgency and testing the LC defense early. Sending numbers up behind a long ball crowding the defense, but an LC counterattack provided the first shot. Finding space out wide, Jason Rodriguez fired his shot, but it rolled wide of Trent Ivy's goal. 

Either side did not have an issue moving to the opposite side to attack.

HSU continued to use long balls and the width of the field to create their chances. Working the ball forward then wide for a cross, HSU used that speed to try and outnumber the Cats in the attack and firing off 15 shots.

LC, on the other hand, worked out of the back, using the midfield to send the balls forward counterattacking the forward Cowboys. It worked fairly well for them, but the Cowboy defense condensed the field making it hard when in the final third, limiting the Cats to nine shots. 

The first half finished level at zero, regrouping and returning to play both sides picked back up where they had left. 

In the 53rd minute, HSU would take the lead with Asa Robicheaux blasting in a loose ball in the box after a corner kick seconds before. 

The Cats responded with attacks of their own, but wide or blocked shots were all they could produce. 

Gaining a throw-in in the 76th minute, HSU used a body-flipping style to throw the ball in and into the box; Austin Wills used the long throw to fire one off at Barker, matching the effort, blocked the shot, but Blaine Phariss was there to extend the lead to two with a one-time shot. 

LC  struggled to penetrate the Cowboys back-line through the run of play, instead used set-pieces. Any foul in HSU's half was a chance at goal. LC sent bodies forward and tried to get in behind with a crossed ball. 

The best chance came when Gabriel M. Lopes' head connected with one, but added too much and sent it over the bar in the 86th minute. 

HSU did anything to waste time the remaining minutes and end the game, holding the ball in the corner or were slow to take dead balls. LC tried to quickly send the ball forward, hoping for a goal and a lifeline, they did not have enough time, falling short and finishing 2-0.

The Wildcats wrap-up the weekend with ASC opponent McMurry Univ. Saturday afternoon on the turf at Wildcat Stadium at 2:30 p.m. 

For more LC Men's Soccer Team follow them on Facebook under Louisiana College Men's Soccer, for Instagram and Twitter at LC_MSOC.