Beeville, TX —  In a much anticipated Region XIV matchup, the Coastal Bend Cougars hold off a late second half charge by Blinn College Buccaneers to secure a 3-2 victory. What seemed to be a very physical match between the conference opponents, the Cougars were able to prevail with three unanswered goals before Blinn made it interesting late in the 2nd half. The Cougars had two first half goals, from Freshman Forward Io Shono and Sophomore Midfielder Yahel Paramo, to lead the Buccaneers 2-1 at the half. The physical play continued in the second half as both Cougars and Buccaneers traded goals late, with the Cougars goal coming from the right foot of Sophomore Forward Jake Mangan. At the end the Cougars prevailed and walked away with a big conference victory.

As much as both teams were trying to out physical each other, both teams were sloppy with their possession at the start of each half. The Cougars were patient at their point of attack early, while Blinn was the aggressor team as the Bucs were able to strike first with a goal on a Cougar turnover. However, it didn't take long for the Cougars to respond with a ball down field on the right side, Paramo hits a cross into the 18-yard box to Shono with a firecracker of a shot off the crossbar and bouncing into the net to equalize 1-1. The Cougars didn't wait long to attack again, as this time they went to the left side of the field with cross by Sophomore Raul Aranda blocked and retrieved by Aranda. Aranda passes to the center of the field to Paramo who turns and squeeks the ball passed the diving Blinn goalie, giving the Cougars a 2-1 lead into halftime.

Despite the slow start and falling behind early, the Cougars coaching staff felt good about team's ability to respond and take control of the first half.: "After going a goal down early in the game and starting the game fairly poor, we were delighted with the response from the guys. After the water break we talked about calming down a little bit and do just the basics right that we had worked on in practice."

The physicality picked up more so in the second half with both the Cougars and Buccaneers trying to assert control. The difference in the second half was the Cougars controlling the ball more than they did in the first half. The Buccaneers were more aggressive with their shots than the Cougars in the second half, but Cougars' Freshman goalkeeper Tim Teicher, was able to play a masterful performance for majority of the half, halting the Buccanneers attack. It wasn't until late in the second half that the Cougars were able to take advantage of yet another blocked pass, this time from Shono that bounces right to Mangan who strikes a laser through the goalkeeper's arms and into the net to extend the Cougars' lead 3-1. Blinn was able to manage a goal just a few minutes later to cut the lead to 3-2. But the Cougars controlled the ball the remaining time and was able to secure the win.

The Cougars seemed prepared that this matchup would be more physical than expected with a big conference matchup: "I think before the game we did have a slight idea that the game could be as physical as this. I think that in a competitive game, here is always going to be a physical element to the game. The Cougars will be back in action September 27th on the roadi in a Region XIV match against #9 Angelina College. The match is set for a 7:30 PM showdown.