What happens when two bitter rivals, one of whom is the nations top ranked team and defending National Champions, tangle under the hot, south Texas sun?  You get an epic physical battle.  Double digit yellow cards, multiple warnings and one red card ejection later, the Coastal Bend College Cougars made it clear that they are a team that maybe ready to take its place among the nations elite by defeating the Apaches of Tyler College 3-1.

Jan Gruhn scored five minutes into the game beating the Apache goalie with a header, and putting the Cougars on top.  Tyler would draw even late in the first half, as Cougar goalie Matthew Shorrocks got beat for the only time on Friday.  Shorrock would face eight shots-on-goal, finishing the day with seven saves.

TJ Stead made an immediate impact entering the game in the second half by sending a deflected shot into the right side of the net to put the Cougars in the lead for good in the 48th minute.  Marcus Dibble snuck another header by the Tyler goalie giving the Cougars a commanding 3-1 lead with 20 minutes remaining.  From that point, CBC used their substations wisely and kept the ball out of scoring situations as the clock slowly ticked down to zero.

CBC Head Coach Brian Byrd was thrilled after the game, "This is a huge win for our program!  The boys played smart and our dept off the bench played outstanding."  "We need to enjoy this win for an evening, but wake up and move forward with a strong performance tomorrow or this win means nothing", Byrd stated matter-of-factly. 

The Cougars host another Region XIV rival tomorrow as Jacksonville College comes to town.  Game time tomorrow is set for 2:00 pm on the CBC pitch.