Blinn men’s soccer falls at No. 5 LSU-Eunice, 3-1

EUNICE, La. — The Blinn College men's soccer team fell to No. 5 Louisiana State University-Eunice, 3-1, on the road Sunday. 

With the loss, the Buccaneers are now 6-6 overall and 5-6 in conference play. 

"I thought the players were incredible, and everything that got thrown at them, they just kept gutting through," head coach Michael McBride said. "We had a field player who was playing goalie and we even hit the post at 2-1 and could have tied it up 2-2. I thought that it was an inspiring battle against adversity, and I was very impressed with how we played, especially against a team as good as LSU-Eunice in an away game." 

Diego Berlingeri, Francisco Avila, and Adalid Abrego Jr. each recorded three saves for the Buccaneers, while Ethan Unger scored Blinn's lone goal.  

LSU-Eunice scored the first goal of the game in the fifth minute. However, the Buccaneers tied the game 1-1 when Unger scored in the 18th minute. LSU-Eunice scored its second goal before the end of the first half to lead 2-1 at the break.  

 The Bengals scored their final goal in the 86th minute to take a 3-1 lead for good. 

"Considering the circumstances for today's game, the guys did well facing adversity," assistant coach Jacob Beerman said. "We managed to get a number of guys in tonight, which was great, and we showed some mental toughness in the second half to stay in the game down a man. I am proud of our efforts tonight and am looking forward to Friday where we will have a full squad and some well-needed rest as a team." 

Next, the Buccaneers will conclude the regular season on the road against Coastal Bend College on Friday, May 14, at 3 p.m. 

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.