Wildcats Crash Pilots in Home Opener

MCKENZIE, Tenn. - In their first game of the season the Bethel Wildcats defeated the LSU-Shreveport Pilots 4-1. 

After an extensive (2 hour plus) lighting delay, the Pilots got off to a quick start with a backside goal by Abdoul Karii Pare in the 15th minute of the game. He was assisted by Scott Neil. The Cats brought the match even on a goal by Alphonso Gooden which was setup by Alioune Diop and Pascal Mohungsi in the 31st minute. Both teams recorded five shots in the opening half.

In the final half, Bethel added three more goals to the final tally. In the 49th Gooden struck again from seven yards out. Moshungsi connected with Nicolas Ruiz for his first goal of the season in the 59th minute. The final goal was Mohungsi's hat trick assist connecting with Justice Nmeregini in the 79th minute. Noberto Lima Vieira allowed only one goal on 12 Pilot shots. He recorded four saves on the night.

The Pilots had a 12-11 advantage in shots but Bethel had a 6-5 margin in shots on goal.

It was the third meeting between the two programs. The Cats won 2-0 in Shreveport in February. The only other meeting between the two was in 2019 when the teams battled to a scoreless tie in McKenzie. 

Coach Malang Jarju was pleased with the win. "This was a great way to begin our season. The boys have worked hard through the preseason and it was great to see them play together as a team. We had a shaky start but hard work and patience paid off in the end." 

UP NEXT
The Wildcats hit to the road next week for a match against Hannibal-Lagrange. Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Blackwell Field in Hannibal, Missouri.