by Michael D. Gunnell

Southwest Sports Information

After leading most of the way, the Bears dropped a 2-1 decision to the host LSUA Generals JV Sunday afternoon in Alexandria, LA. The game was decided in a shootout after the teams tied 1-1 in regulation.

The Bears (6-3-1) took a 1-0 lead at the 5:51mark when PJ Irwin took a nice cross in from Michael Escobar. Irwin then beat the Generals' keeper to the ball and found the back of the net.

The Bears' lead held up until 77:30 when the Generals tied the game at 1-1.

With neither team able to score in the final 12:30, and with both coaches in agreement, the game moved into a shootout. The Generals then outscored the Bears 8-7 in the shootout to claim the win.

Making goals in the shootout for the Bears were Escobar, Cameron Alda, Dalton Culpepper, Nick Dickinson, Michael Martin, Connor Smith and Eliseo Tapia.

"It's always very difficult to go to a university and play someone challenging, but that's what we were looking for," said Bears head coach Zach Mills. "But, that's what we were looking for. We wanted to improve and, even though we took a loss, we worked hard."

"I think we outplayed them in the first half," Mills continued. "We just had some guys who obviously tired (and) we had some injuries that we're nursing. It was non-division, but it was really good to get that experience. I'm proud that my guys showed up."

The Bears return to action on September 29 when they visit the Holmes Bulldogs, in Ridgeland, for a 3:00 non-division contest.