SHREVEPORT, LA - Last year's leading scorer lent a hand to both goals, but it was a senior captain who came up big in the game's final minutes.

Senior Michael Pullano netted his second career goal on passes from junior Jeremy Klespis and sophomore Ivann Amaya while Amaya added a score of his own as the Centenary College men's soccer team (1-0) knocked off East Texas Baptist University (0-1) 2-1 Tuesday night (September 1) at Mayo Field.

"It's always a positive to win your first game of the season," said head coach Emmett Rutkowski. "Our inexperience showed at times tonight in some areas, so we still have work to do before conference play."

After the Gents allowed the equalizer with about 15 minutes left in the contest, Centenary wasted no time in scoring what proved to be the game winner. Sitting just outside the box in the left side, Amaya served the ball into Klespis just inside the box on the right side. Klespis found Pullano, who snuck the ball past the goalie for his first game-winning goal of his collegiate career.

Amaya, who led the team in goals last season, opened up the scoring in the 56th minute for the Maroon and White when his free kick found the back of the net.

The Tigers loan tally came off the foot of Joel Botello at the 75:34, who took the pass from Justin Adams and beat the keeper 1v1 by sneaking in just inside the post.

Junior Rylan Whan (1-0) recorded the win for the Gents in goal, grabbing nine saves on 10 shots faced. Juan Perales (0-1) took the loss in goal for the Tigers, grabbing three saves in five shots faced.

East Texas Baptist outshot Centenary 17-11 for the game, including 10-5 in shots on target.

The Gents return to action Friday afternoon (September 4) at 1 p.m.