BOSSIER CITY, La. - Senior Michael Pullano does not always score, but when he does, it seems to be a Gents game winner.
Pullano scored twice on the night, including the go-ahead goal in the opening seconds in the second half, as Centenary (4-13) knocked off their Louisiana Division III rival Louisiana College (1-14-1) 3-1 Tuesday night at Freedom Fields in Bossier City.
"It's great to see our ball movement tonight and our team defending," said head coach Emmett Rutkowski. "Michael Pullano has been playing with the tenacity and the energy I want this program to build on for the future. It gives me a lot of joy to see him succeed as he has put in a lot of work this past year."
Tied at one at intermission - despite the Gents outshooting the Wildcats 12-1 in the first half - it did not take long for the Maroon and White to change that. Just 24 seconds in, freshman Braylen Hollins put the ball off a defender. Pullano proved to be the man in the right spot, finding the back of the net.
His fourth goal of the season proved to be the game winner. Pullano has a trio of winning goals the season, which pulls him in a tie for second in that category in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
In the 62nd minute, freshman Nick Hammond provided the insurance when junior Jeremy Klespis put a through ball in to the penalty area. Hammond shot went left of the keeper into the goal.
Hammond also added an assist on the first goal of the day after a cross in to Pullano that he scored with a left-footed kick in the 25th minute.
Pullano led the way with four shots, putting three on target. Both senior Jake Morrison and Hammond put Louisiana College goalie Nathan Gautreaux (1-14-1) under duress twice.
The lone goal in the first half for the Wildcats, coming off their only shot in the first half, happened in the 30th minute. A Louisiana College pass found its way to the foot of Brandon Obey. He brushed by the defender and scored straight on for his third goal of the season.
Junior Kaleb Behm picked up his first win in goal for Centenary in three chances in 2015, grabbing five saves for the game.
Centenary returns to action Thursday afternoon in Sherman, Texas, against Austin College. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.
